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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

Three pundits predict scoreline in Man City vs Bournemouth match

Manchester City will step out at the Etihad Stadium for the first time on Saturday when they host newly promoted Bournemouth.

The Blues began their title defence in style last weekend with a 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium. Erling Haaland's highly anticipated Premier League debut could not have gone much better as he scored twice to secure the three points.

City's opponents Bournemouth also enjoyed a good start to the season last time out. Jefferson Lerma and Kieffer Moore both scored as they got off to a winning start against Aston Villa.

ALSO READ: Drinks break enforced for City vs Bournemouth

Ahead of the 3pm fixture, several players-turned-pundits have been providing their predictions.

Chris Sutton - BBC Sport

Discussing the fixture, Sutton told BBC Sport : " Erling Haaland is going to be licking his lips before this one. If Manchester City score the first goal, Bournemouth are in trouble.

"I suspect the Cherries will try for damage limitation if they do go behind, but I'm not sure that will work. Bournemouth are the tallest team in the Premier League - and they are probably going to take the biggest walloping this weekend."

Score prediction: Manchester City 5-0 AFC Bournemouth

Paul Merson - Sportskeeda

Sportskeeda pundit Merson added: "Bournemouth got a great result against Villa, and I think they'll have to write this game off, if you know what I mean.

"If you'd told Bournemouth at the start of the season that they'd have three points from their first two games, they'd have been pretty happy. Haaland was brilliant against West Ham and I'm sure he'll score again in the Premier League this weekend.

" Manchester City are on a different planet at the moment, and Bournemouth will have to understand that. They'll get beat, and they'll have to move on and go on from there again."

Score prediction: Manchester City 4-0 AFC Bournemouth

Mark Lawrenson - Paddy Power

The former Liverpool defender told Paddy Power : "It was a fab win for Bournemouth last weekend and they were worried about not signing any players. Erling Haaland’s hit the ground running at Manchester City, he just looks like a beast doesn’t he?

"I would think Haaland would get at least two. He’s a big old piece of kit, he’s lightning quick and it doesn’t take him long to get into his stride."

Score prediction: Manchester City 4-0 AFC Bournemouth

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