Who wins
- Manchester City vs Bournemouth
PREDICT, VOTE, COMMENT AND AGUE ABOUT IT @ matchdaycall.org
The curtain opens on the 2026/27 Premier League season as we hope to start the campaign on a high.
It will also be Enzo Maresca’s first game at the Etihad since taking charge of City in the summer.
WHEN AND WHERE
The Blues take on the Cherries at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 23 August.
Kick-off is set for 14:00 (UK), with the match to be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
All the key moments can also be followed on the Official Man City App and mancity.com via our Matchday Centre and our official social media channels:
MARESCA PRESS CONFERENCE
The City boss addressed the media on Friday afternoon, ahead of his first Premier League game in charge. He was asked about the availability of his squad and he said: “At the moment, the only one [unavailable] is Jérémy Doku.
“Then Matheus [Nunes] is back. Jérémy , but the rest are all okay.”
The manager then went into more detail about Doku, stating the No.11 has an issue in his calf.
“Unfortunately in the last game at half-time he was complaining about a calf pain.
“Idea was that he would come off, the change was planned and at the moment, [he’s out for] 2-3 weeks, no more than that.”
And on our opponents, Bournemouth, Maresca added: “I watched their pre-season games and watched some games from last season when he [Rose] was at another club.
“Clear identity, aggressive already were with Andoni [Iraola] and still are aggressive. Clear what they do on and off the ball.”
MAN CITY APP COVERAGE
As always, the Official Man City App will have all the match coverage you need from wherever you are in the world.
From two hours before kick-off to all the post-match reaction, our Matchday Centre will provide blow-by-blow updates and analysis.
For those with push notifications turned on in the app, you’ll be alerted to the key moments throughout the game as they happen, with our CITY+ commentary from Alistair Mann and Clive Allen will begin once the game gets under way.
Shortly after the full-time whistle, a comprehensive match report as well as reaction from Enzo Maresca and the players can also be viewed on our website and app.
A CITY+ full-match replay and extended highlights will be available from midnight while a brief highlights option will appear after full-time from 17:45 (UK).
MATCHDAY LIVE
The Cherries show will start 90 minutes before kick-off with hosts Cel Spellman joined by guests David James and Nicky Weaver offering their pre-match thoughts ahead of the game.
The panel will offer expert insight before, during and after the game.
They will assess team news, run the rule over the first half at the break and assess the result as the final whistle blows.
As well as that, you’ll also get live text updates throughout the day from our journalists at the stadium.
Alistair Mann and co-commentator Clive Allen will guide fans through proceedings with live audio commentary on CITY+.
They’ll paint the pictures with words as Enzo Maresca’s men look to start the new campaign with three points.
For those not subscribed to CITY+, you’ll be able to follow a Live Watchalong of the game with Steven McInerney and Georgina Chadwick from Studio 1.
There’s an extended post-match show this season, with a bumper 60 minutes of analysis from our panel of experts as well as reaction from the manager and the match’s headline-makers.
We’ll have a quick-hit 2-minute highlights package available at 17:45 (UK), while you can sign-in to watch a free 8-minute edit at midnight.
On CITY+ meanwhile, there’ll be our popular full-match replay as well as our extended highlights offering which features the best 20 minutes of action from the game. Both are also available at midnight.
OPPOSING MANAGER
Marco Rose is yet to face City as the Cherries boss, however we have come up against him on six occasions in the Champions League during his time at RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach.
The German oversaw four matches against the Blues while in charge of Leipzig , drawing one and losing three.
Rose also saw two 2-0 defeats in the 2020/21 season while at the Bundesliga side.
PREVIOUS MEETING
The two sides last met in May 2026 in our final away trip of the season, with City securing a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium.
The hosts struck first through Junior Kroupi on 39 minutes after a well worked counter-attack.
Tavernier put Adrien Truffert into space down the left flank, the full back pulled the ball back into the box and found Kroupi who turned before curling a well-executed shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma into the corner of the net.
With 90 seconds left, Rodri then hit the post before Erling Haaland smacked home the rebound to set up a grandstand finish.
Premier League 2026/27 home tickets now on sale
General admission tickets for Manchester City’s home 2026/27 Premier League fixtures are now on sale to Premium, Matchday and Junior Members.
Season Ticket Members, meanwhile, are now also able to purchase additional tickets for selected games.
Premier League match-by-match ticket prices for junior and adult Matchday Members have been retained at the same rate for a third consecutive season.
It promises to be another thrilling campaign for the Blues as we enter a new era under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, who takes over from Pep Guardiola in the hotseat.
Make sure you secure your spot at the Etihad Stadium for our Premier League fixtures now!
News about Man City v B'mouth
City’s last five meetings with Bournemouth
Ahead of this weekend’s clash, we look back to our recent games against Bournemouth.
One moment in time: Doku rips up the record books!
City bring up the curtain on the 2026/27 Premier League season on Sunday when we entertain Bournemouth (14.00 UK).
City v Bournemouth: Maresca focus and Gvardiol interview
The Premier League is back and what better way of getting into the mood for kick-off than by picking up the matchday programme.
Training: All set for Bournemouth opener
Check out images as City prepared for the start of the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Maresca relishing Premier League debut as City boss
Enzo Maresca says he is excited to begin his Premier League journey with City on Sunday, starting with our clash against Bournemouth at the Etihad.
The target is to be in contention, says Maresca
Enzo Maresca says his only target at the moment is to be in the hunt for silverware at the end of the season.
We know exactly what we need to do – Maresca on transfer approach
Enzo Maresca says the club knows exactly what we need to do ahead of the transfer window closing in just under a fortnight.
We will find the new Rodri - Maresca
Enzo Maresca says that Manchester City will find a replacement for Rodri just as players have taken over from Club legends in the past.
Analysing Bournemouth ahead of this weekend’s Premier League opener
Taking a statistical look at Bournemouth ahead of the first game of the new Premier League season…
Comments
Post a Comment