By Joe Symes
Andoni Iraola’s final home game could be an extra incentive for Bournemouth, whom are on the brink of something special. Will there be joyous title jubilation come Tuesday evening in North London? Can Manchester City enter the final day either chasing or being chased? Unanswered questions remain, which is the beauty of the Premier League. Stories like Bournemouth can have a fairytale conclusion, but Manchester City’s title hunt is far from done, and the race is on.
Permutations pending, results in this fixture could have huge implications: Bournemouth chasing a dream never thought to be possible – European football – with an outside chance of Champions League qualification. Manchester City continue to hunt Arsenal down in pursuit of the Premier League title, with the possible results in this match – as well as Arsenal’s fixture against Burnley – all could be lost or a final day showdown.
Andoni Iraola’s farewell tour is gathering pace, with his Cherries side embarking on a 16-game unbeaten run to date, the longest in the Premier League this season, to leave the club riddled with debt and administration 17 years ago, on the verge of Europe. Remarkable.
Rightfully praised for the job of not only stabilising Bournemouth as a Premier League mainstay but also having them in the hunt to play amongst the world’s elite, Iraola is to leave behind solid foundations for his successor. But his chapter is not yet closed.
The job of European qualification requires only one outcome – a point from their remaining games. Seemingly simple. Their test… title-chasing Manchester City.
Fresh from completing the domestic double for the second time for Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has mastered everything in the English game and more, but now gears up his City side for another grand finish. The questions beg… what else does Guardiola have in his armoury?
In isolation and for the standard sets, Manchester City have been below par after winning six titles in seven years. They’re now heading for a second season without the English crown unless huge mitigating circumstances swing in their favour and they do their job.
However, two trophies in the cabinet cannot be sniffed at, and fresh from sinking Chelsea in the FA Cup Final thanks to Antoine Semenyo’s deft flick, the fire remains in their belly despite glory not lying in their hands.
The title will be taken to the wire if Man City earn victory, but any dropped points could end their treble hopes
A trip to the South Coast has been a daunting task for sides this season and beyond this campaign, the Vitality Stadium has always been a tough ask. City found that out in their last meeting, with Bournemouth recording a 2-1 win, culminating in their fall and losing their status as champions.
Tuesday night’s fixture will provide huge entertainment – assumably cagey with what’s to play for and potentially season-defying results.
Pep Guardiola has a full squad at his peril, with Rodri the only doubt until his twenty-five-minute cameo in Saturday’s final, so a host of options remain available for City.
On the other hand, Bournemouth are slightly depleted. Ryan Christie is suspended after his sending off at Craven Cottage, Lewis Cook is touch and go on a thigh issue, with Julio Soler and Alex Jimenez ruled out.
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PREDICTED XIs
Bournemouth: Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson
Manchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Silva, Rodri; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland
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