Bournemouth (A) - Sat 24th Feb, 17:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[MCFC1993]

Kick off time 17:30 (GMT). Live on Sky Sports for those in the UK.

Looks like another tough game and a must win. Level on games after this weekend with Liverpool playing tomorrow at home to Luton, so it looks like we'll be chasing them down again.

Probably see a similar team but with De Bruyne back in.

I think Pep will pick an XI that can control the game a bit better.

-------------------Ederson
Walker---Stones---Dias---Akanji/Ake
----------------------Rodri
------------De Bruyne--Foden
Bernardo-----Haaland----------Doku

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Terrible KO time on Saturday evening, respect to all those who are going. Loud and proud again lads and lasses.

 

[Gigant]

Ederson
Akanji
Dias
Stones
Ake
Rodri
Kovačić
DeBruyne
Bernardo
Doku
Haaland

 

[Blu3m00n91]

Kovacic is a must alongside Rodri. Let’s help save his legs ffs.

Ederson; Walker Stones Dias Ake; Rodri Kova; Doku KDB Foden; Haaland

 

[super_city_si]

worried about de bruyne. Be tempted to rest him. We absolutely cannot afford to lose him for our march run

ederson
walker stones dias ake
rodri kovacic
bernaedo foden doku
haaland

 

[Stoned Rose]

3 points essential.

Business end not far away now.

 

[richards30]

Ederson
Akanji
Stones
Dias
Ake
Rodri
De Bruyne
Foden
Bernardo
Doku
Haaland

 

[sibierski express]

Pep mentioned before he doesn't like playing double pivot against sides with 5 at the back. Bournemouth play 4 at the back unlike Brentford tonight so fully expect Rodri Kovacic midfield to keep the control which is much needed after last two performances.

 

[Franny 1234]

Another prem cleansheet would be nice.
Then am sure the rest will look after it's self. KEEP THE FAITH CTID

 

[Deleted member 81382]

Pep mentioned before he doesn't like playing double pivot against sides with 5 at the back. Bournemouth play 4 at the back unlike Brentford tonight so fully expect Rodri Kovacic midfield to keep the control which is much needed after last two performances.

Yeah I agree this is a good game for Kovacic to start and is probably why Pep wanted to give him a bit of a run out towards the end against Brentford.

 

[Deleted member 81382]

Going off Pep's post-match comments, we're being extra careful with Kev so if he's not able to start then I'd go with:

---------------------Ederson
Walker-----Akanji-----Dias-----Ake
----------------Rodri-----Kovacic
Bernardo--------Foden---------Bobb
---------------------Haaland

 

[ScottSinclair]

Won't be easy. They have been very good under Iraola, especially against the better teams. Hopefully we see a improved performance in the last third.

And please give Alvarez a rest

 

[vmsuhail]

Doku must start. He had his best game in the reverse fixture.

 

[Chi-town blues]

Doku must start. He had his best game in the reverse fixture.

It was interesting to see him play inside during that passage of play . His understanding with bernie and kova was fantastic… all three in sync

 

[Craig]

Kick off time 17:30 (GMT). Live on Sky Sports for those in the UK.

Looks like another tough game and a must win. Level on games after this weekend with Liverpool playing tomorrow at home to Luton, so it looks like we'll be chasing them down again.

Probably see a similar team but with De Bruyne back in.

I think Pep will pick an XI that can control the game a bit better.

-------------------Ederson
Walker---Stones---Dias---Akanji/Ake
----------------------Rodri
------------De Bruyne--Kovacic
Bernardo-----Haaland----------Foden

I suppose Alvarez could start over Kovacic.

Or just play Doku to get Foden in his best position with a solid midfield 2 behind him.

 

[balotellishaircut]

Doku must start. He had his best game in the reverse fixture.

You mean this fella

Scapegoat > doku

 

[Buckshaw Blue]

Can’t see Kev starting this or the Luton game if he has the infamous “niggles”. Hopefully he’s ready for the derby.

 

[hertsblue]

No problem with the ref but huge issue with the cheat on Var. So he had our game v Chelsea where he screwed us, tonight he is ref for Dippers and then back to us on Var. Nothing to see here of course. Expect the usual rough tactics and wrestling from corners by Bournemouth without punishment.


Referee: Jarred Gillett. Assistants: Darren Cann, Derek Eaton. Fourth official: Simon Hooper. VAR: Andy Madley. Assistant VAR: Simon Long.

 

[richards30]

It was interesting to see him play inside during that passage of play . His understanding with bernie and kova was fantastic… all three in sync

you cant say that mate as it seems according to his player thread, Doku is shit and everyone expected more

 

[Fordyboy46]

Fuck knows what will happen here, they have improved drastically and can play some good stuff at times and Solanke is having a real purple patch.
We might have to play our strongest eleven again and rotate against Luton. Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne?, Foden, Doku, Haaland