England FA Cup Quarter Finals Bournemouth vs Manchester City
Domestic football returns this weekend with a thrilling FA Cup quarter-final clash between Bournemouth and Manchester City. This fixture promises to be one of the highlights of the weekend, as the two sides meet again after their Premier League encounter earlier this season, where Bournemouth secured a surprising 2-1 victory.
Despite City’s superior squad and recent form, they will face a tough challenge. Bournemouth’s home advantage and their recent win over the Cityzens suggest this could be a much tighter contest than expected.
Bournemouth Stats:
• Position: 10th in the Premier League
• Record: 12 wins, 8 draws, 9 losses (44 points)
• Goals Scored: 45 (1.67 per game)
• Goals Conceded: 32 (1.19 per game)
In the FA Cup, Bournemouth has been impressive, securing wins against West Bromwich Albion, Everton, and Wolverhampton Wanderers in earlier rounds.
Manchester City Stats:
• Position: 5th in the Premier League
• Record: 14 wins, 6 draws, 9 losses (48 points)
• Goals Scored: 55 (1.90 per game)
• Goals Conceded: 40 (1.38 per game)
In the FA Cup, City have comfortably advanced, with victories over Salford and Leyton Orient in the previous rounds.
Bournemouth Key Players:
• Justin Kluivert: The Dutch winger has been in excellent form, leading Bournemouth with 12 goals and 6 assists this season.
• Antoine Semenyo: A crucial contributor in the FA Cup, Semenyo has scored 2 goals in his last 3 FA Cup appearances.
Manchester City Key Players:
• Erling Haaland: The Norwegian striker has been in sensational form, with 21 goals in 28 appearances this season.
• Kevin De Bruyne: The Belgian playmaker has been directly involved in more FA Cup goals than any other player since joining City in 2015, making him a key figure in this competition.
This quarter-final clash is sure to provide plenty of drama, with both teams boasting key players capable of turning the game. While Manchester City remains the favorite, Bournemouth’s recent success against them and their home advantage could make this a much closer affair than many anticipate.