Manchester City vs Bournemouth preview: Sergio Aguero out of clash with injury-plagued Cherries

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium

It’s a big game for…

Wilfried Bony: With Sergio Aguero injured on international duty, it gives the former Swansea man a rare opportunity to lead the line for City against Bournemouth. To have a chance of keeping Aguero at bay permanently, he must take this chance and hit the ground running once selected by Pellegrini.

Best stat…

944

The Cherries have covered 944km in the Premier League this season – 18km more than any other side. They’ll need to keep up the work-rate against City, who have only failed to score in one of their last 24 league matches.

Remember when…

Man City blew a half time lead against Bournemouth back in May 1989. 3-0 up at the interval, the visitors came back spectacularly to earn a share of the spoils.

Player to watch…

Matt Ritchie: Always capable of the spectacular, Ritchie scored for Scotland while on international duty and will be fired up for the trip to the Etihad as a result. Bournemouth are likely to be limited to few goalscoring chances, so Ritchie’s long-range goal-threat could prove pivotal.

Past three-meetings…

Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 0
Division Two, February 1999

Manchester City 2 (Allsopp, Dikov) Bournemouth (Fletcher)
Division Two, September 1998

Manchester City 3 Bournemouth 3
Division Two, May 1989

Form guide…

Manchester City: LLWWWW

Bournemouth: DLWLWD

Vital information…

Kick-off: 3:00pm, Saturday 17 October

TV: Highlights on Match of the Day from 10:30pm