FA Cup analysis: Bournemouth vs Man City - Five key battles and score prediction

High-flying Bournemouth welcome Manchester City to the Vitality Stadium in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday, March 30 (4.30pm kick-off).

The Cherries will be looking to progress to the club’s first-ever FA Cup semi-final, while Pep Guardiola’s side will be hoping to salvage what has been a disappointing season by reaching the semi-finals of the famous competition.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Tom Nichols takes a look at five battles which will prove decisive in the match.

Erling Haaland vs Dean Huijsen

Erling Haaland is having another outstanding season for Man City, scoring 29 goals in 39 games.

The Norwegian has been in good form of late, scoring three goals and contributing one assist in his last five games.

Up against a strong Bournemouth defence, Haaland will need to be at the top of his game if he wants to add to his impressive goal tally.

Dean Huijsen has been a vital part of Bournemouth’s success this season after arriving in the summer for £12.6million.

Huijsen has formed a strong partnership with Illia Zabarnyi.

Bournemouth went on an 11-game unbeaten run with the two of them starting together at centre-back, including a 5-0 hammering of Nottingham Forest.

Huijsen will be hoping the Cherries can record their first clean sheet since their 2-0 away win over Everton on February 8.

Milos Kerkez vs Savinho

Since arriving from Troyes for a fee of £30.8million, Savinho has had a rather up-and-down debut season in England.

The winger has scored just one goal from an xG of 4.62. Savinho has, however, contributed seven assists from the right wing in 19 Premier League starts.

With bags of pace and Brazilian flair, Savinho will be a constant threat to Bournemouth’s backline.

Milos Kerkez has established himself as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League this season.

The Hungarian is known for his ability to get up and down the wing, but his defensive ability shouldn’t be downplayed.

Kerkez has been a vital part of the Bournemouth defence which has recorded six clean sheets, helping his side to within five points of a Champions League spot and an FA Cup quarter-final.

It isn’t often that a winger gets the better of Kerkez, so Savinho will have his work cut out for him on Sunday.

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Evanilson vs Abdukodir Khusanov

Since his £40million move from Porto, Evanilson has scored just seven goals in Bournemouth colours. Despite his poor goal return, Evanilson has proven to be a handful for defences.

Evanilson was showing flashes of quality before he suffered a broken metatarsal, subsequently missing seven games.

The striker had scored three goals in three league games before his injury, including the winner in a 2-1 win over Sunday's opponents Manchester City.

Since his return from injury, Evanilson has put in some impressive performances including goals against Wolves and Tottenham.

Abdukodir Khusanov faces a tough challenge to keep the Brazilian from bagging his second goal of the season against the Citizens.

Khusanov had a tough start to life at Man City. His debut didn’t quite live up to expectation - the centre-back made an error which led to Chelsea taking the lead after three minutes.

Khusanov has played with three different centre-back partners so far. He has managed to put in some solid performances, keeping two clean sheets since his arrival at the club.

The 21-year-old will need to keep Evanilson quiet if he wants to earn his third clean sheet in City colours.

Tyler Adams vs Nico Gonzalez

Tyler Adams joined Bournemouth in August 2023. The American international suffered a hamstring injury just a month after he joined the club which meant he missed 29 games.

This season, Adams has played 19 games for the Cherries in another injury-struck season.

However, Adams has recently held down a defensive midfield position and helped his side pick up some important results.

Adams is a vital cog in Bournemouth’s system with his ability to win the ball back, break up play and his impressive passing capabilities.

Nico Gonzalez made his Manchester City debut in their 2-1 FA Cup win over Leyton Orient, since then the Spaniard has been a mainstay in City’s midfield.

Gonzalez scored his first goal for the club in a Champions League tie against Real Madrid, although it was a 92nd-minute consolation goal.

Gonzalez has the ability to create play from a deep midfield position. He has been operating in a midfield two, tasked with starting attacks.

Tyler Adams will be hoping he can nullify the threat Gonzalez poses.

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Pep Guardiola vs Andoni Iraola

Sunday afternoon’s game could be a very special one for Andoni Iraola - the manager could lead Bournemouth to their first FA Cup semi-final.

Iraola also has a big opportunity to record a new record-high finish for the Cherries.

Iraola has managed just three games against Pep Guardiola since arriving in England. The first was a humbling 6-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City completed the double over Bournemouth that season with a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture.

However, this season Iraola got the better of his fellow Spaniard, beating him 2-1 in November 2024.

Guardiola will be hoping his side can get the better of Bournemouth to reach the semi-final.

City have had a poor season up to now and the FA Cup is the last trophy they have a chance of winning.

Manchester City have won just two of their last six games, with one of those wins being against Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle.

Guardiola will be hoping Sunday’s game can start a good run of form for City.

Score prediction: Bournemouth 1-0 Manchester City

Both sides have had a poor run of form recently, so this is likely to be a low-scoring game, with Bournemouth sneaking a late win.

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