Manchester City vs Bournemouth Tips - Etihad Stadium, 23 August
City are still favourites at the Etihad, even after a rough Community Shield. Bournemouth arrive unbeaten in five, which puts goals and BTTS firmly in view.
- Manchester City host Bournemouth at 15:00 SAST on Sunday 23 August.
- Enzo Maresca starts his first league campaign after replacing Pep Guardiola.
- We back City to win, over 2.5 goals and BTTS Yes as the smaller third position.
Manchester City host Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 23 August at 15:00 SAST. The fixture starts a new City era under Enzo Maresca after Pep Guardiola's departure. Bournemouth bring an unbeaten five-game run in the supplied form data, so a City win needs a goals companion rather than blind faith in an old head-to-head record.
The fixture timing and current availability context are reported by Goal.com.
Our Picks
| Selection | Market | Odds | Bookmaker | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City to Win | Match Result | @1.72 | Hollywoodbets | 2 Units |
| Over 2.5 Goals | Total Match Goals | @1.74 | Betway | 1 Unit |
| Both Teams to Score: Yes | Both Teams to Score | @1.82 | WSB | 0.5 Units |
Odds are indicative pre-match prices for 23 August and will move before kick-off. Check the current market before placing a bet.
The indicative price guide uses Hollywoodbets, Betway and WSB. Prices move before kick-off, so check the live market and the named starting sides before committing.
View football markets at Betway →
City Have Talent but No Easy Start
Enzo Maresca arrived on a three-year deal in June, and the Community Shield finished with Arsenal beating City 3-0. Elliot Anderson and Gerónimo Rulli are confirmed arrivals, while John Stones and Bernardo Silva have left.
The available injury list includes Rodri, Jack Grealish, Jérémy Doku and Matheus Nunes. City still have the home advantage and a formidable historical record in this fixture, but that team news makes the price less automatic than it used to be. The Guardian confirms Maresca's appointment.
Bournemouth Have a Competitive Case
Marco Rose has replaced Andoni Iraola after Bournemouth finished sixth and qualified for the Europa League. Antoine Semenyo has gone to City, while Marcos Senesi has left for Tottenham, and the research lists six injured players plus Ryan Christie suspended.
Those absences are serious. So is the form line: Bournemouth's supplied last five stands at two wins and three draws, with eight scored and four conceded. They have enough recent evidence to threaten City even with personnel missing. OddsCalendar supplies the five-game form snapshot.
Head-to-Head Context
The full historical snapshot is City 18 wins, Bournemouth one and one draw. FotMob supplies the all-time tally. The more relevant recent detail is the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth in May 2026 after City had won three of the previous four meetings.
| All-time record supplied | City wins | Draws | Bournemouth wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 meetings | 18 | 1 | 1 |
Goals Fit the Team News
City recorded 11 goals in their supplied five-game form snapshot, while Bournemouth recorded eight. Both teams also have important absences, which can expose a defence faster than an attack in an opening-weekend match.
Over 2.5 is the secondary position. BTTS Yes is kept smaller because Bournemouth must overcome their own depleted group, but the 1-1 draw in the latest meeting and their current unbeaten run make it live.
Team News and Expected Line-ups
City's reported unavailable list is Rodri, Grealish, Doku and Nunes. Bournemouth are reported without Eli Junior Kroupi, Veljko Milosavljevic, Amine Adli, David Brooks, Tyler Adams and Julian Araujo, while Christie is suspended.
No official line-ups are available at publication. The team news has enough moving parts that final selections matter more than any early scorer bet.
Verdict
Manchester City to win at @1.72 is still the main call at home. Over 2.5 goals at @1.74 respects the attacking form on both sides, and BTTS Yes at @1.82 is the smaller value position. Bournemouth make this closer than the 18-1 historical record suggests.
18+ only. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. SA Responsible Gambling Foundation: 0800 006 008.