Manchester City Aim for FA Cup Success to Save Their Season

Bournemouth vs Manchester City

Manchester City are fifth in the Premier League table with 48 points, trailing by 22 against frontrunners Liverpool. The Sky Blues also watched Newcastle United win the EFL Cup and lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout play-off round. Manchester City are unlikely to defend their Premier League title, but they still have one more shot at silverware this season, which is this year’s FA Cup. Pep Guardiola’s side will take on Bournemouth this Sunday afternoon in the quarter-finals at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth made it this far after a hard-fought fifth-round victory against Wolves earlier this month. They may be five notches below Manchester City in the English top-flight standings, but the Sky Blues know how dangerous the Cherries are on any night.

 

Talking Points

Bournemouth get injury boosts at the back

Bournemouth needed the international break because their form dipped recently. Since a 3-1 win over Southampton last February, Andoni Iraola’s men are winless in their last four Premier League matches (D1, L3), and they almost lost their FA Cup match against the Wolves.

The March international break gave the Cherries time to regroup. It was confirmed that defenders Marcos Senesi and Julian Araujo returned to training recently, and Iraola expects the two to return to the lineup sooner rather than later. Adam Smith and Enes Unal are the only notable players on the injury list.

Iraola will likely stick to the same starting XI he had against Brentford, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Lewis Cook, Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi, and Dean Huijsen manning the backline, Ryan Christie and Tyler Adams forming a double-pivot midfield, and Marcus Tavernier, Justin Kluivert, Evanilson, and Antoine Semenyo taking charge in the final third.

Tavernier’s first-half goal against Tottenham has been nominated for the Premier League Goal of the Month for March, as he finished a wonderful volley off Milos Kerkez’s dime.

 

Haaland could give Manchester City a lifeline

Manchester City are also dealing with injuries. Rodri, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones are notable absentees, though Oscar Bobb, Ederson, and Josko Gvardiol could be in the mix against the Cherries this weekend.

Regardless of who lines up for Pep Guardiola, the fact remains that the Sky Blues still have the best attacker on the pitch this weekend, and that is Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker has a staggering 38 goals and five assists across 46 appearances for club and country this season. He is also the fastest player in Premier League history to reach 100 goal contributions. Haaland scored for Norway during their World Cup 2026 qualifying matches against Moldova (5-0) and Israel (4-2) to extend his total to 40 international goals in 41 caps.

Omar Marmoush, Jeremy Doku, and Phil Foden will join Haaland up front. Marmoush, who arrived last January, has already adjusted well to the rigours of English top-flight football.

 

History

Bournemouth and Manchester City have already faced off at the Vitality Stadium this season. The Cherries won 2-1 against the Sky Blues, as Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson found the back of the net for Bournemouth. Josko Gvardiol scored a consolation goal for Manchester City in the 82nd minute. Before this, Bournemouth did not win any of their previous 21 encounters against Manchester City in all competitions (D2, L19).

Sunday marks the first FA Cup clash between the Cherries and Sky Blues. It’s just the third time Bournemouth have faced the reigning English top-flight champions in the competition after March 1957 (2-1 loss vs. Manchester United) and January 1961 (1-0 loss vs. Burnley). The Cherries have also qualified for the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2020-21 season.

Manchester City have won seven of their last eight FA Cup quarter-finals, and they aim to reach the semi-finals for a record-extending seventh straight time.

 

Betting Tip

The FA Cup 2025 odds predict a tight battle between Bournemouth and Manchester City this weekend. The Sky Blues have a slight advantage at 2.21, whereas the Cherries aren’t far behind at 2.69, and a draw is at 3.59 in the 1X2 market. Pep Guardiola’s men will play with an edge, a dangerous prospect for the Cherries.

With both sides capable of producing new FA Cup 2025 highlights, besides our recommended bet, SBOTOP bettors can also go for alternatives like Over 3.00 at 1.75 and Over 3.25 at 1.98. However, if you fancy Bournemouth’s chances to win, check out the Correct Score of 2-1 in their favour – the result of their last meeting – given its solid 10.00 offer.

   

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