Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth Preview

The Etihad Stadium prepares to host what promises to be a compelling Premier League encounter as Manchester City welcome AFC Bournemouth on 2nd November 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 16:30 GMT. This fixture arrives at a fascinating juncture for both clubs, though the contrasting narratives reveal intriguing subplots beneath the surface. Manchester City have bounced back impressively from a setback against Aston Villa, securing four victories from their last five matches to demonstrate the resilience and quality that has defined their recent success. The Citizens have showcased their ability to dominate across multiple competitions, combining attacking brilliance with defensive solidity to overwhelm opponents. Bournemouth, meanwhile, arrive at the Etihad unbeaten in their last five fixtures, having collected two wins and three draws to establish themselves as a resilient and organized Premier League outfit that refuses to be intimidated by reputation alone.

Manchester City’s recent record reveals a side that has largely rediscovered their imperious form. The Citizens have won four of their last five matches, including a commanding 3-1 away victory at Swansea City in the Carabao Cup on October 29th, a clinical 2-0 away triumph at Villarreal in the Champions League League Phase on October 21st, a solid 2-0 home win over Everton on October 18th, and a hard-fought 1-0 away victory at Brentford on October 5th. However, their solitary blemish came in a surprising 1-0 away defeat to Aston Villa on October 26th, a result that served as a reminder that even the most talented squads can be vulnerable when not at their absolute best. City’s ability to respond to setbacks with convincing performances demonstrates the mental fortitude within the squad. With key players finding rhythm and the tactical system clicking into gear, the Citizens will view this fixture as an opportunity to maintain momentum and reassert their dominance on home soil.

AFC Bournemouth’s recent form reveals a side growing in confidence and tactical maturity. The Cherries have remained unbeaten in their last five matches, securing two victories and three draws to collect valuable points and establish themselves as a difficult side to defeat. They claimed a deserved 2-0 home win over Nottingham Forest on October 26th and a convincing 3-1 home triumph against Fulham on October 3rd, demonstrating their ability to dominate matches at the Vitality Stadium. The draws tell an equally impressive story—fighting back to secure 3-3 and 2-2 ties away at Crystal Palace and Leeds United respectively, while also earning a hard-fought goalless draw at home to Newcastle United on September 21st. This unbeaten run suggests Bournemouth have developed the defensive organization, work ethic, and counter-attacking threat necessary to compete consistently in the Premier League. However, facing Manchester City at the Etihad represents their sternest examination yet, requiring near-perfect execution and a slice of fortune if they’re to extend their unbeaten sequence.

The head-to-head record offers Bournemouth minimal encouragement. Manchester City have utterly dominated this fixture in recent years, winning four of the last five meetings with Bournemouth claiming just one victory. City secured a comfortable 3-1 home victory in May 2025, a narrow 2-1 away win in the FA Cup in March 2025, a 1-0 away triumph in February 2024, and delivered a devastating 6-1 home demolition in November 2023 that showcased the gulf in quality between the sides. Bournemouth’s solitary success came in a memorable 2-1 home victory in November 2024, proving they possess the quality to defeat City when circumstances perfectly align and they execute their game plan flawlessly. However, with City having won their last two encounters and dominating this fixture historically, particularly at the Etihad where their attacking quality typically proves overwhelming, Bournemouth face a monumental challenge to claim anything from this contest.

Football fans worldwide can witness this Premier League showdown, with Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League broadcasting live in the UK and Ireland, while international audiences can tune in via USA Network and Telemundo in the United States, DAZN in Canada, Disney+ Hotstar in India, and beIN Sports across the Middle East and North Africa. With kick-off at 16:30 GMT, this promises to be compelling viewing as City seek to maintain their winning momentum while Bournemouth aim to extend their unbeaten run against one of Europe’s elite.

Possible Line-Ups

Manchester City (4-1-4-1)

Gvardiol, Dias, Reijnders, Doku, Donnarumma, González, Haaland, Stones, Foden, Nunes, Savinho

AFC Bournemouth (4-2-3-1)

Jiménez, Tavernier, Adams, Diakité, Kroupi, Kluivert, Petrovic, Scott, Senesi, Semenyo, Truffert

🔵 Manchester City Form

Result	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
✅	Swansea City	1-3	Manchester City	English Carabao Cup	Oct 29, 2025
❌	Aston Villa	1-0	Manchester City	English Premier League	Oct 26, 2025
✅	Villarreal	0-2	Manchester City	Champions League	Oct 21, 2025
✅	Manchester City	2-0	Everton	English Premier League	Oct 18, 2025
✅	Brentford	0-1	Manchester City	English Premier League	Oct 5, 2025

🍒 AFC Bournemouth Form

Result	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
✅	AFC Bournemouth	2-0	Nottingham Forest	English Premier League	Oct 26, 2025
🤝	Crystal Palace	3-3	AFC Bournemouth	English Premier League	Oct 18, 2025
✅	AFC Bournemouth	3-1	Fulham	English Premier League	Oct 3, 2025
🤝	Leeds United	2-2	AFC Bournemouth	English Premier League	Sep 27, 2025
🤝	AFC Bournemouth	0-0	Newcastle United	English Premier League	Sep 21, 2025

🏆 Head-to-Head Record

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
Manchester City	3-1	AFC Bournemouth	English Premier League	May 20, 2025
AFC Bournemouth	1-2	Manchester City	English FA Cup	Mar 30, 2025
AFC Bournemouth	2-1	Manchester City	English Premier League	Nov 2, 2024
AFC Bournemouth	0-1	Manchester City	English Premier League	Feb 24, 2024
Manchester City	6-1	AFC Bournemouth	English Premier League	Nov 4, 2023

📺 TV Listings / Streaming

Country	Broadcaster
🇬🇧 UK	Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League
🇺🇸 USA	USA Network, Telemundo
🇨🇦 Canada	DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada
🇦🇺 Australia	Stan Sport
🇮🇳 India	JioHotstar, Star Sports Select HD1
🇩🇪 Germany	Sky Sport Premier League
🇪🇸 Spain	DAZN Spain
🇫🇷 France	Canal+ Foot
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia	beIN SPORTS CONNECT
🇿🇦 South Africa	DStv App, SuperSport Premier League