Man City vs Bournemouth Prediction: 16/5 Tip, Lineups & Rodri returns for Man City

Manchester City host Bournemouth in the Premier League tonight with kick-off fast-approaching at 8pm, live on Sky Sports Main Event.

The big news for Man City is the return of Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, who is among the hosts' substitutes.

Read on for the full starting lineups plus this evening's best bets, courtesy of our man Tom Winch.

Man City vs Bournemouth Preview

Manchester City haven’t enjoyed their 24/25 season, which they will end trophyless after Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace lifted the FA Cup on Saturday.

The Citizens have dropped to 6th, meaning their place in the Champions League next term is far from confirmed. However, a win on Tuesday would leap them up to 3rd, ahead of the final game of the season.

Bournemouth’s campaign isn’t over just yet either. There are a fair few permutations which could see them land a European place, although it’s pretty unlikely.

Man City vs Bournemouth Tips

The market fancies the home side, which is understandable. Despite their trophyless campaign, no side has returned more points than Man City's 13 over the previous five matches. Arne Slot’s title-winning side has accumulated 33 in their last 15, and City’s 30 at that time was the second best.

After failing to find the back of the net at St. Mary’s and again at Wembley in consecutive clashes, I’m a little wary of supporting Pep’s boys.

Despite Bournemouth sitting in 11th, they boast the sixth-best xGD/90 figure (+0.41). They’re coached by a fantastic manager in Andoni Iraola and, interestingly, have performed better away from the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth have picked up 28 points in 18 away days, having been defeated four times, three fewer than their seven home defeats. Matches at home tend to be cagey and low scoring (37), whereas matches on the road provide goals (61) and far more entertainment.

I’m keen to back Bournemouth on the Asian Handicap. The +1.25 selection has returned profits in 17 of Bournemouth’s 18 away games and 34 from 36 this season. Liverpool beat Iraola’s men 3-0 in September, the only outlier. With a single defeat in their last 12 outings, I think the visitors will fancy their chances at the Etihad.

City have the capability to turn it on in their final home match of the season. However, six of their 12 home victories have seen a two-goal margin or greater. Three of those came against West Ham, Leicester and Ipswich.

They’re under some pressure here, and Bournemouth are no pushovers. The reverse fixture ended 2-1 to the south coast side. Bournemouth can lose by exactly one goal, and we would still leave with a half winner.

For my second bet I'm backing both Kevin De Bruyne and Evanilson to have at least one shot on target each and for Both Teams To Score, which can be backed at 16/5 with bet365.

It’s the end of an era. Kevin De Bruyne is playing his last match at the Etihad as a Manchester City player who will be desperate to find the back of the net here.

De Bruyne has registered a shot on target (SOT) in his previous six Premier League starts. His price for an SOT appeals; he’ll likely take free kicks, and we know he’s capable of hitting them from range.

Evanilson’s 1.33 SOT Per 90 is the highest figure of any Bournemouth player in the Premier League this campaign.

All 10 of his goals have come from inside the box, highlighting his sharp instincts in and around the area. The Brazilian forward has enjoyed a solid debut season on the South Coast, scoring the winner against Arsenal earlier this month and also finding the net in Bournemouth’s victory over Manchester City back in November.

He’ll be eager to add to his tally on Tuesday night.

Both sides are capable of finding the back of the net. City have seen BTTS land in 61% of matches at this venue, while Bournemouth’s away day BTTS figure is 78%.

There are several impressive attacking players on either side who can cause issues in a game where both must earn three points.

Man City vs Bournemouth Lineups

Man City have made four changes to the side that started the FA Cup final, with Ederson. Matheus Nunes, Ilkay Gundogan, and Mateo Kovacic coming in for Stefan Ortega, Nico O'Reilly, Savinho, and Jeremy Doku. Meanwhile, Rodri could feature off the bench.

Julian Araujo and Justin Kluivert both come in for Bournemouth.

The full starting lineups for Man City vs Bournemouth can be viewed below.

Man City vs Bournemouth Odds