It’s been a bit of an odd season so far for Manchester City, but as AFC Bournemouth come to town to restart the Premier League season after the international break, only one thing really matters: they’re on top of the table.
Manchester City vs. Bournemouth 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Manchester City have to figure out how to win without Sergio Aguero again -- and they’re up against one of the most fun sides in the Premier League in Bournemouth while they’re at it.
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Of course, that they got knocked off the top of the table after getting beaten by West Ham -- and that they took that spot back from Manchester United -- means that things haven’t really gone quite according to plan. Those plans have taken a beating, along with the health of their squad. While many players are returning to health now or will soon, it’s not without taking another huge blow first. Sergio Aguero, he of the five-goal outburst in City’s last match, will be out until November with an injury.
It’s bad timing for City, who were hoping to ride his suddenly red-hot form to further success in the EPL and start winning more matches in the Champions League, but they’ll have to do without for now. The first team they have to face without Kun is “just” 15th-place Bournemouth, which perhaps helps, but they’ll still need to make sure to put in a good performance -- Bournemouth may be newly promoted, but the Cherries have still been one of the more entertaining sides in the league. Their own injury issues have kind of taken the wind out of their sails, too, however, so this match may wind up going to the team that copes with their situation the best.
Key player -- Wilfried Bony (Manchester City)
Despite being consistently excellent with Swansea, wildly variable playing time since joining Manchester City has left Bony just not looking as good as he once did. Now he’s going to get a chance to start just about every match, though, thanks to Aguero’s injury. It’s time for him to show the skill that made City so eager to snap him up last January.
Key Matchup -- Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) vs. Glen Murray (Bournemouth)
While Murray doesn’t have the talent or athleticism of the injured Callum Wilson, he does have a sky-high work rate and a crafty instinct for when to pounce. With Manuel Pellegrini bemoaning the fatigue and wear and tear that Kompany came back from international duty with, now might just be Murray’s chance to shine.
Manchester City injuries and suspensions
Out: Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Aleksandar Kolarov, Fabian Delph, Gael Clichy In doubt: Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri
AFC Bournemouth injuries and suspensions
Out: Max Gradel, Tyrone Mings, Tommy Elphick, Harry Arter, Callum Wilson
The absence of Aguero is obviously the headliner among talent in this match, and City will be missing Silva and Kolarov plenty, but the losses of Gradel and Wilson are an absolute killer for Bournemouth. Wilson was their leading scorer and best player by a mile this season before his knee shredded, and Gradel was their most exciting summer signing before his knee also, well, shredded. It’s going to be a rough season for the Cherries without them.
Match Date/Time: Sat., Oct. 17 10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
TV: Premier League Extra Time (US), Sportsnet World (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (US), Sportsnet World Now (Canada)
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