Man City vs. Bournemouth: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

Manchester City entertain Bournemouth on Saturday looking to build on their impressive 6-1 win over Newcastle United last time out.

City are two points clear of Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table, having taken 18 points from their first eight games of the season. They have won 10 of their last 11 league matches at the Etihad and are the league’s top scorers this season with 19 goals already.

Bournemouth’s task is a difficult one. They arrive in Manchester in 15th place in the table having won just once on the road this season—a 4-3 win over West Ham United back in August. 

This is the first-ever top-flight encounter between the two sides. They have played six times in total, with Bournemouth yet to register a single victory. The last time they played was in 1999. The game ended 0-0, with current Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe starting for the Cherries. 

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More shots from today's session as the lads prepare for @afcbournemouth! #mcfc #cityvafcb pic.twitter.com/3309UFlFKw

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 16, 2015"

Date: Saturday, October 17

Kick-off: 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET

TV Listings: NBC Sports Live Extra (US)

Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (US)

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Form Guide (last 5 results)

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

City

City 6-1 Newcastle United

Gladbach 1-2 City (Champions League)

Tottenham 4-1 City

Sunderland 1-4 City (League Cup)

City 1-2 West Ham

Bournemouth 

Bournemouth 1-1 Watford 

Stoke City 2-1 Bournemouth

Preston North End 2-2 Bournemouth (League Cup—Bournemouth win 3-2 on pens)

Bournemouth 2-0 Sunderland 

Norwich 3-1 Bournemouth

Predicted Formations

City

Manuel Pellegrini confirmed on Friday that he is without five players for Saturday's game. Sergio Aguero and David Silva are perhaps the most notable absentees, with Gael Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov and Fabian Delph also out. Kolarov and Clichy's injuries mean City are without a recognised right-back, meaning Pablo Zabaleta or Bacary Sagna are in line to play in an unfamiliar position. 

The good news for City is that Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Fernando are all back fit and in contention for a starting place. 

City (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Clichy, Demichelis, Kolarov, Kompany, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna, Zabaleta, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Fernando, Nasri, Navas, Roberts, Toure, Zuculini, Bony, Iheanacho, Sterling.

Possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Sagna; Fernandinho, Toure; Nasri, De Bruyne, Sterling; Bony 

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Bournemouth 

Bournemouth will be without top scorer Callum Wilson, Tommy Elphick, Tyrone Mings and winger Max Gradel. Wilson has scored five—half of Bournemouth's league total this season. It leaves boss Eddie Howe with a slightly threadbare squad for his side's trip to the Etihad. 

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PELLEGRINI: "@afcbournemouth have worked the last 15 days with their whole squad. We must play with 100% intensity to get the three points."

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 16, 2015"

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BREAKING: Eddie Howe commits his future to #afcb by signing contract extension: http://t.co/sXMnpSmOT8 pic.twitter.com/LXBYvsD8Kd

— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) October 15, 2015"

Bournemouth (from): Allsop, Boruc, Federici, Bennett, Cargill, Cook, Costa, Daniels, Distin, Francis, Smith, Andrade, Atsu, Gosling, MacDonald, O'Kane, Pugh, Ritchie, Stanislas, Surman, Kermorgant, King, Murray, Rantie, Tomlin.

Possible starting XI (4-1-4-1): Boruc; Francis, Cook, Distin, Daniels; O’Kane; Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, Stanislas; Murray

BEN STANSALL/Getty Images

Players To Watch

City: Kevin De Bruyne 

It's been a wonderful start to life as a City player for Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian, a £54 million signing from Wolfsburg this summer, has slotted into Pellegrini's side perfectly, adding additional vision and creativity to the side.

In the absence of Silva, De Bruyne's importance grows. In his last three league starts, he's scored three goals and provided two assists. He has a knack of producing vital moments in the final third.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Bournemouth: Matt Ritchie

Matt Ritchie, the Bournemouth right-winger, is in fine form for the Cherries, and he will be their danger man on Saturday, particularly in the absence of Wilson and Gradel. 

He scored an absolutely superb goal against Sunderland recently, and if he can deliver quality balls into the box, which he's capable of, Bournemouth have Glenn Murray up front who can provide the finishing touches inside the area. 

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Key Battle: Wilfried Bony vs. Sylvain Distin 

Wilfried Bony is expected to start for City, given Aguero is missing through injury, and the Ivorian has a point to prove after struggling to adapt to life at City since his January move from Swansea. 

His introduction to the side was delayed by his AFCON involvement, then a knee injury hampered him upon his return. With Pellegrini switching from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 formation late last season, his opportunities became even more limited.

He now has a chance to get a run of games and establish some rhythm. He needs a bit of luck in front of goal, something he has yet to receive. 

He'll be up against a former Blue on Saturday. Sylvain Distin is remembered very fondly at the Etihad. He partnered Richard Dunne at the heart of the City defence between 2002-07 and was superb.

Now, aged 37, he's still in the top flight—testament to his fitness and professionalism. He's been excellent for Bournemouth so far. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

Odds (via Odds Shark) 

City: -455

Bournemouth: +900

Draw: +600

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Here's the cover of tomorrow's match programme. Pick your copy up at the game! #mcfc #cityvafcb pic.twitter.com/ebQpZY0X1G

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 16, 2015"

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.