After a forgettable international break in terms of injury woes for the sky Blues, Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping to restore some confidence within the Manchester City squad - as they entertain one of the Premier League's newboys in Bournemouth this afternoon.

The visitors' manager Eddie Howe silenced his critics, who previously suggested he'd be open to a move elsewhere, by signing a new contract extension earlier in the week. That news will undoubtedly boost his players as well as the travelling supporters as they make the trip to the blue half of Manchester.

Cherries hoping to surprise their doubters today

Bournemouth currently sit in 15th place within the League table ahead of kick-off, with eight points from their first eight fixtures in the English top flight. A win today, providing results go their way elsewhere, could move them up to as high as 11th - where Swansea currently lie.

They'll be without a few key men, not least in the form of injured attacking duo Callum Wilson and Max Gradel, so the pressure is most certainly off them as many will not be expecting them to challenge the title favourites too hard.

Teams announced ahead of kick-off

The official teams, including substitutes, are as follows:

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Otámendi, Mangala, Sagna; Fernandinho, Touré; Navas, de Bruyne, Sterling; Bony. Subs - Caballero, Demichelis, Kompany, Fernando, Nasri, Roberts and Iheanacho.

Bournemouth (4-3-2-1): Boruc; Francis, Cook, Distin, Daniels; Smith, Gosling, O'Kane, Surman, Ritchie; Murray. Subs - Federici, Cargill, Bennett, MacDonald, Pugh, King and Kermorgant.

Vincent Kompany is amongst the substitutes' bench, having featured for 60 minutes during Belgium's victory over Israel in midweek. You'd expect Pellegrini to be cautious with the way in which he utilises his captain, especially with important fixtures coming thick and fast in all competitions.

Jesús Navas starts again, whilst Samir Nasri, Patrick Roberts and Kelechi Iheanacho are all viable options to come off the bench at some stage. It's a big day for Wilfried Bony, can he get his scoring boots on?

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About the author
Mosope Ominiyi
Writer and editor - European football analyst, youth enthusiast. Email: [email protected]