There are many possible reasons why Manchester
City's form has dropped off the proverbial cliff -
injuries, the Pep Guardiola announcement or
even, according to their winger Jesus Navas, just
plain old bad luck.
Whatever the cause, a run of just one win and
four defeats in their last six league games has
seen City's title challenge collapse. Lose again
today, and their top four hopes will be heading
the same way.
which sets us up nicely for today's game at
Vitality Stadium. City need a win to rescue their
season, Bournemouth need a win to pass the
magic 40-point mark that would surely ensure
they are staying up.
In truth, the Cherries already look safe on 38
points, 12 more than third-bottom Sunderland,
but with the Canaries playing Newcastle today,
then Crystal Palace and the Black Cats in quick
succession, Eddie Howe's men have a chance to
end any lingering doubts


TEAM NEWS
Bournemouth make two changes from the team
that lost to Tottenham before the international
break.
Benik Afobe has a hamstring injury so Lewis
Grabban comes in up front for his first start since
rejoining the club in January,
Grabban partners Joshua King, who has shaken
off a calf problem. In midfield, Eunan O'Kane
comes in for Harry Arter.
Kevin de Bruyne returns to the Manchester City
team for the first time since 27 January after
recovering from his knee injury.
Another long-term injury absentee, Samir Nasri, is
on the bench, and could feature for the first time
since October.
With Joe Hart, Yaya Toure and Raheem Sterling all
injured, City make five changes in all from the
side that lost the Manchester derby last time out,
with Willy Caballero, Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolas
Otamendi and Fernando also coming in.



MANCHESTER CITY
Team to play Bournemouth: Caballero, Zabaleta,
Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy, Fernando,
Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Silva, De Bruyne,
Aguero
Subs: Sagna, Nasri, Kolarov, Bony, Demichelis,
Wright, Iheanacho



BOURNEMOUTH
Team to play Man City: Boruc, Smith, Francis,
Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, O'Kane, Surman, Gradel,
Grabban, King
Subs: Gosling, Elphick, Pugh, Iturbe, Federici,
Distin, Murray




www.m.bbc.com/sport/live/football/35485868?live_variant=nonjs

Bournemouth will trash city today.
COYG

0 - 1 7' Fernando
0 - 2 12' K. De Bruyne
(assist by David Silva)
0 - 3 19' S. Agüero
(assist by Jesús Navas)