Manchester City starts their EFL Cup defence with a third-round clash against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday evening.
Team Preview
The Citizens start their quest for the fourth successive EFL Cup on Thursday at Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side was the winner of the previous edition but their 2019-20 season was not up to the mark, losing the Premier League title to Liverpool and early exit in the Champions League. The EFL Cup was their only success where they edged past Aston Villa at Wembley in the final. City have won 17 of their last 18 games in the competition and they are strong favourites to reach into 4th round as they have won their previous 10 meetings with Bournemouth. City also kicked off their Premier League 2020-21 campaign with a 3-1 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers, courtesy of goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth last played to City in the Premier League and since then, Bournemouth went to into the relegation zone to part of the Championship. Jason Tindall’s side started off their Championship campaign with a 3-2 victory over Blackburn Rovers and later, played a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough. In the previous EFL game, they defeated Crystal Palace in a penalty shootout. The Cherries would keen to put some solid show at Etihad Stadium.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Manchester City
The city is expected to try first-team players on Thursday. Ilkay Gundogan, Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Bernardo Silva have all been ruled out.c
Lineup: Steffen; Walker, Laporte, Otamendi, Mendy; Fernandinho, Bernabe, Doyle; Mahrez, Delap, Torres
All competitions form: W L W
Bournemouth
Junior Stanislas is recovering from the injury and he might miss this match as well.
Lineup: Travers; Smith, Mepham, Kelly, Rico; Arter, L.Cook, Ofoborh; Brooks, King; Surridge
All competitions form: W W D
Key Players
Manchester City
Mahrez
1 goal and 4 assists in Champions League 2019-20
Ferran Torres
2 goal and 2 assists in Champions League 2019-20
Bournemouth
Joshua King
6 goals in Premier League 2019-20
Surridge
7 goals in 2019-20 for Swansea City
