Bournemouth host Manchester City on Tuesday night in what promises to be one of the most dramatic fixtures of the Premier League season, with the title race and European qualification both on the line and two departing managers bidding farewell in very different circumstances.
Andoni Iraola takes charge of his last home game before leaving Bournemouth in the summer, and the Cherries head into the match in excellent form, going 16 league games without defeat. A point tonight will be enough to secure them a place in the Europa League next season, and they could even yet finish in the Champions League spots if results elsewhere go their way. Iraola has only beaten City once in six meetings though, losing the other five.
For Manchester City, only a win will do. Arsenal moved five points clear at the top on Monday night, but City have a game in hand. Win tonight and the gap is back to two points going into the final weekend. Drop points and the title heads to Arsenal. Adding to the drama is the confirmation that Pep Guardiola is leaving at the end of the season, making this his last away league game in charge. City have been in strong form with 14 games unbeaten, but they have lost three of their last four Premier League away trips on the south coast.
One player to watch is Bournemouth’s 19 year old Brazilian winger Rayan, who needs just one more goal to become the first teenager since Francis Jeffers in 2000 to score in four consecutive Premier League appearances. Bournemouth will also be without Ryan Christie, who is suspended, while City have no fresh injury concerns.
