Bournemouth vs Manchester City. Premier League.
Vitality StadiumAttendance10,699.
Saturday 2 March 2019 07:41, UK
Eddie Howe says Bournemouth are not out of relegation danger ahead of their Premier League clash against Manchester City on Saturday.
Bournemouth were thumped 5-1 at Arsenal on Wednesday night, which leaves them in 12th place and nine points above the relegation zone.
Howe feels there is still plenty to play for over the final 10 games, but says his side must be wary of steering clear of a relegation battle.
"We're not safe. Things can change very quickly in football," he said. "We know the teams above us are still within touching distance, as are the teams below us.
"The 'goals against' column has been a problem for us, probably since December.
"We have been frustrated because in some games we have looked really good defensively, with a few clean sheets in there and have been very strong.
"We can do it, we can definitely perform well as a defensive unit as a team, there have been some outstanding performances. But there are also times where if we are under par, we have conceded groups of goals together, which is never a good sign."
Liverpool hold a one point lead over City ahead of this weekend's games. But City boss Pep Guardiola is refusing to underestimate Howe's side ahead of their visit to the Vitality Stadium.
"Bournemouth at their home is always tough," Guardiola said. "They know the stadium perfectly, they beat Chelsea 4-0 and played incredibly well.
"That is all I am concerned about, not about the future or pressure because nobody knows."
Bournemouth will make a late call on Callum Wilson, who has missed five games with a knee problem, ahead of the Premier League clash against Manchester City.
David Brooks could start against his former club having returned to the squad following an ankle problem, but midfielder Jefferson Lerma will serve out his two-match suspension.
Junior Stanislas and Dominic Solanke (both thigh) are still not fit. Steve Cook (groin) remains sidelined, as well as long-term absentees Simon Francis and Lewis Cook (both knee).
Meanwhile, City duo John Stones and Gabriel Jesus have both returned after being out for the last three games with muscle problems.
And Aymeric Laporte and Fernandinho could also return from injury, while left-back Benjamin Mendy is in contention to start after being on the bench in midweek against West Ham having recovered from his latest knee injury.
Bournemouth have never beaten Manchester City in 13 previous league meetings (W0 D2 L11).
Manchester City have won all seven Premier League meetings with Bournemouth, scoring 24 goals and conceding just three.
Bournemouth were terrible on Wednesday. I know they can turn in a performance from nothing. But I can't see anything but a City win.
I know City only beat West Ham 1-0, but they played really well. Bournemouth have got a lot of injuries, what I'd call 'pen' injuries - when you write the team out you write them in pen, not pencil, because you're not rubbing them out and changing your mind. They're always going to struggle with those injuries.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
