Manchester City v Bournemouth Free Bets & Match Preview

Manchester City v Bournemouth Free Bets & Match Preview

 

Etihad Encore: Can City Shake Off the Cup Blues Against the Cherries?

📅 Tuesday, 20 May 2025
🕗 Kick-off: 8:00pm (UK time)
🏟️ Venue: Etihad Stadium

As the dust reluctantly settles on their latest Wembley woe, Manchester City return home on Tuesday night hoping to exorcise some demons as they host Bournemouth in their final home fixture of the Premier League season. The Sky Blues are still reeling from an FA Cup final disappointment, while Bournemouth arrive with vague European dreams still flickering—if only just.

 

From Wembley Woes to Etihad Expectations

Manchester City’s dreams of another piece of silverware were unceremoniously dashed last Saturday in the FA Cup final—a match that featured more drama than an EastEnders Christmas special. With Eberechi Eze scoring a beauty and Dean Henderson saving a crucial penalty from Omar Marmoush, Pep Guardiola’s men also found themselves on the wrong side of a VAR controversy that left pundits, including the always fiery Ian Wright, up in arms over what he branded an “absolutely pathetic” decision.

In what might now be viewed as a symbolic passing of the guard, Palace bagged their first-ever major honour, while City, despite dominating possession and firing plenty of blanks, had to settle for nothing but regret. For Pep, the once-gleaming trophy cabinet now contains just a Community Shield for the 2024-25 campaign—a polite way of saying it’s been a touch underwhelming.

Still, all is not yet lost. With a game in hand and only a one-point deficit to make up on Aston Villa and Chelsea, City’s Champions League hopes remain very much alive. And with their superior goal difference, it’s still well within their control—provided they can turn Etihad into a fortress once more.

 

City’s Home Comforts Still Intact

Even with recent slip-ups—like the forgettable 0-0 with Southampton—City have looked formidable at home, where they’ve triumphed in their last four Premier League outings. Impressively, they’ve also won each of their last eight final home matches of the season. The Etihad, it seems, is where City tend to bid farewell with a flourish.

Bournemouth, however, might have something to say about that.

 

Cherries Clinging to Continental Hopes

It’s not exactly a robust claim to Europe, but Bournemouth haven’t quite been mathematically dismissed from the conversation yet. Had City lifted the FA Cup and also secured a Champions League berth, eighth place would have opened the backdoor into the Conference League. Now, the permutations are trickier than a pub quiz tie-breaker.

Essentially, Bournemouth need Chelsea to beat Real Betis in the Conference League final and also finish high enough domestically to open a path for eighth place to qualify. They’re also reliant on Brentford and Brighton dropping the ball in their remaining matches. In short: it’s a long shot.

And given that the Cherries have only won three of their last 13 league fixtures—including last weekend’s frustrating 1-0 loss at home to a ten-man Aston Villa—they’re hardly sprinting towards the finish line. Yet curiously, their away form has been rather sprightly, losing just once in their last 13 on the road. Not exactly continent-conquering stuff, but hardly cause for despair either.

 

History Not on Bournemouth’s Side

While Bournemouth did get the better of City at home back in November—squeezing out a surprising 2-1 win—Guardiola’s side got revenge in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a reverse scoreline. Moreover, City boast a flawless record against the Cherries at home in Premier League play, having won all seven encounters. That’s the sort of stat that sends shivers down visiting spines.

 

Team News: Rotation and Rehabilitation

City’s squad suffered another knock before the FA Cup final when Mateo Kovacic limped off injured, leaving him a doubt for Tuesday night. He now finds himself in a growing list of sidelined stars, including Rodri (ACL), Nathan Ake (ankle), Oscar Bobb (thigh), and John Stones (thigh).

Kevin De Bruyne, possibly making his final home appearance for the club, is expected to start and may get the fairy-tale Etihad send-off via a second-half substitution—cue misty eyes and standing ovations. With little left to lose and freshness in mind, Guardiola may reshuffle his pack with the likes of Matheus Nunes, Nico Gonzalez, and Phil Foden all likely to return. Youngsters Rico Lewis and James McAtee could also feature, having been notably absent from the Wembley squad.

Bournemouth’s woes deepened last weekend when rising star Alex Scott suffered a nasty facial injury courtesy of Tyrone Mings’ elbow. The midfielder has since undergone surgery on a broken jaw and will miss the remainder of the campaign. He joins Enes Unal and Ryan Christie in the treatment room, while Dango Ouattara and Luis Sinisterra are also unlikely to feature again this season.

Justin Kluivert is expected to slot into the central midfield role, pushing Lewis Cook deeper alongside Tyler Adams. Up front, Evanilson—who’s in red-hot away form with five goals in his last five road trips—will lead the line.

 

How They Might Line Up

While the usual parade of names remains in contention, City’s line-up could have a more experimental flair. Expect Ederson between the sticks, protected by a defensive line that may include Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol, with young O’Reilly possibly stepping in at full-back.

Midfield may see Nico Gonzalez alongside Ilkay Gundogan, while an attacking trio of Savinho, De Bruyne, and Marmoush will look to feed Erling Haaland, still searching for vengeance after Saturday’s VAR farce.

Bournemouth will likely stick with Kepa in goal, flanked by a back four of Adam Smith, Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, and Milos Kerkez. In midfield, Cook and Adams will hold the fort, with Semenyo, Kluivert, and Tavernier providing support behind Evanilson.

 

Prediction: Manchester City 1-1 Bournemouth

Fatigue, frustration, and a feisty Bournemouth side on the rise—it’s a combination that could make things tricky for Guardiola’s men. Bournemouth’s recent results don’t scream ‘upset’, but their away resilience and the Cherries’ nothing-to-lose attitude could make this one tighter than expected.

We’re calling it a 1-1 draw—hardly the rousing home send-off City fans will want, but probably just enough to keep their Champions League dream alive. Not ideal for either side, but that’s football—sometimes it’s all huff, puff, and no payoff.

 

Free Bets, Anyone?

If you’re planning to have a flutter on this intriguing clash, now’s the time to cash in on some enticing free bet bonuses. Leading bookmaker Parimatch are currently offering new customers a Bet £5 Get £30 in free bets deal—perfect for those looking to back Haaland for a goal or fancying Bournemouth to spoil the Etihad party.

Plenty of other bookies are getting in on the act too, with a raft of free bet offers flying around as the season reaches its dramatic conclusion. Whether you’re punting on the draw or swinging for a City bounce-back, make sure you’re maximising your value.

 

Final Whistle Thoughts

As the curtain slowly falls on a season of stumbles and stutters for Manchester City, Tuesday night represents a final chance to give home fans something to cheer. But with Bournemouth sniffing at European scraps and with little to fear, don’t expect a walk in the park.

A draw may not be the most glamorous finale, but in this unpredictable campaign, it might just be par for the course. And with a few free bet bonuses in your back pocket, even a drab result could be a win of sorts for the punter.

 

From a Betting Perspective

 

As Manchester City prepare to welcome Bournemouth to the Etihad for a Tuesday night tussle under the lights, punters across the land are eyeing up the markets with a glint in their eye and a flutter in their wallet. Whether you’re backing brilliance or banking on a banana skin, there’s no shortage of intrigue—or betting options.

And with Parimatch rolling out their attractive Bet £5 Get £30 in free bets offer for new customers, there’s never been a better excuse to throw your hat in the ring. Or your slip in the accumulator.

 

The Outright: A Blue Breeze or a Cherries Surprise?

Let’s not beat around the betting bush—Manchester City are red-hot favourites to take all three points, priced at a rather confident 8/15. Pep’s boys may be nursing an FA Cup hangover, but even on groggy form, they’ve got the pedigree to do the business at home.

Fancy a flutter on a draw? You’re looking at odds of 37/10, which may tickle your fancy if you’re expecting a flat-footed City to stumble once again. But for the brave, the bold—or perhaps the Bournemouth diehards—a Cherries win is generously offered at 11/2. Stranger things have happened (just ask Crystal Palace).

 

First Goalscorer: Haaland and the Chasing Pack

When it comes to opening the scoring, it’s no surprise to see Erling Haaland heading the list. At 33/10, the Nordic juggernaut is always lurking like a Viking at a village fête, ready to pillage defences and plunder goals. If there’s an early strike, he’s your man.

Close behind is Omar Marmoush at 5/1, who’s developing a taste for high-stakes goals, while the ever-silky Phil Fodenis floating in at 15/2—a lovely price for a lad who tends to pop up in the right places.

For those seeking slightly more left-field value, James McAtee is 8/1, and Oscar Bobb—a name that sounds more suited to darts than football—is a tempting 17/2. Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne, possibly on his Etihad farewell tour, sits at a princely 10/1 to net first. You just know the football gods would love that one.

For the Cherries, Evanilson is their leading light at 10/1, while Justin Kluivert, Jack Grealish, and even fresh-faced Daniel Adu-Adjei are hovering around the 12/1 mark, depending on how wild your Tuesday night punting plans are.

 

Anytime Goalscorers: The Usual Suspects and a Few Wildcards

Of course, if you’re hedging your bets and just want your chosen scorer to hit the net at any point, there’s still plenty to chew on.

Haaland, unsurprisingly, is evens (1/1) to do what he does best, while Marmoush follows closely at 11/8. If you’ve a soft spot for artistry over brute force, Phil Foden at 11/5 might be worth a cheeky look.

The likes of Bobb and McAtee both sit at 13/5, while De Bruyne, possibly with one last screamer in the tank, is 11/4 to find the onion bag.

For Bournemouth fans (or just brave neutral punters), Evanilson at 3/1, Sinisterra and Ouattara at 10/3, and Kluivert at 4/1 all offer lively, if slightly optimistic, alternatives.

 

Correct Score: Go Big or Go Home?

Trying to predict the exact scoreline is an art form few have mastered, but if you’ve got a hunch, there’s plenty of value on the table.

A 2-1 City win is the market favourite at 8/1, closely followed by 2-0 at 17/2, and a narrow 1-0 at 9/1. Feeling confident in a comfortable showing? Then 3-1 and 3-0 might tickle your fancy at 11/1 and 12/1 respectively.

If you’re in the “they’ll thump them” camp, how about 4-1 or 4-0, both priced at 20/1? And for the mad lads among us, 5-0 is up at 40/1—not impossible, if City click into gear.

The draw outcomes also carry intriguing odds. 1-1 is the standout at 17/2, followed by 2-2 at 16/1 and the always-tense 0-0 at 22/1. For chaos merchants, 3-3 is a juicy 60/1, while 4-4—yes, really—is 300/1. Just imagine explaining that win to your mates.

As for a Bournemouth win? A 2-1 smash-and-grab sits at 20/1, while a slightly duller 1-0 is up at 25/1. Total delusion (or blind faith) leads us to 4-0 Bournemouth at a sky-high 350/1, and it only gets madder from there.

 

Half-Time/Full-Time: Who Blinks First?

For those who enjoy a rollercoaster narrative, the Half-Time/Full-Time market is where fortunes are won and dashed.

The straightforward Man City/Man City combo leads the pack at 5/4, while Draw/Man City—a slow start followed by a flourish—is up at 19/5.

Anyone backing consistency all the way might fancy Draw/Draw at 7/1, while those hunting for long-shot thrillers can go for Bournemouth/Bournemouth at 10/1.

If you think City might start fast then fade (FA Cup flashbacks, anyone?), Man City/Draw is available at 16/1, while a late Bournemouth rally to nick it at the death (Bournemouth/Man City) will fetch you a meaty 20/1.

 

Total Goals: Feast or Famine?

If you’re betting on entertainment rather than allegiances, then goals galore is always a tasty market. Over 2.5 goals is fancied at 8/15, and exactly 3 goals lands at 3/1. Four or more? That’s 19/5, while five or higher gets you into serious value territory—13/2 for five, 12/1 for six, and a dizzying 14/1 for seven or more.

On the flip side, under 2.5 goals is available at 7/4, which could appeal to the pessimists (or the realists, depending on your take). Go even lower with under 1.5 and you’re staring down 27/5—which might just be worth a nibble if both sides decide to doze off.

 

Corners, Glorious Corners

Finally, for the lovers of flag-kicks, the corner market provides yet another playground for punters. Over 8.5 corners is the banker at 4/11, with 9.5 and 10.5 moving into slightly tastier territory at 8/13 and 21/20 respectively.

If you think the Etihad will see a flurry of activity down the flanks, then 13.5 corners sits at 4/1, while the real speculators can back 17.5 or more at a bold 16/1.

Conversely, if you reckon it’ll be a low-corner affair, under 10 is 13/10, and under 8.5 rises to 23/10. And if you’ve had a premonition of a throw-in-fest with barely a flag disturbed, under 3.5 corners is a staggering 28/1.

 

Wrap-Up: Time to Take Your Pick

With a glittering array of markets to dip into, there’s no shortage of ways to spice up your Tuesday night viewing. Whether it’s Haaland to score first, a cheeky 3-1 win, or simply over 10 corners and a packet of crisps, there’s a little something for everyone.

And remember, many great bookmaker free bet offers are on the table for new customers—ideal if you’re planning a punt and fancy some extra firepower to play with.

So place your bets, pour your beverage of choice, and settle in. Whether you’re cheering the favourites or praying for a Cherries miracle, this one promises drama, goals… and possibly a few furious VAR checks.

 

🏆 Outright Winner

Result	Odds
Man City	8/15
Draw	37/10
Bournemouth	11/2

⚽ First Goalscorer

Player	Odds
Erling Haaland	33/10
Omar Marmoush	5/1
Phil Foden	15/2
James McAtee	8/1
Oscar Bobb	17/2
Kevin De Bruyne	10/1
Evanilson	10/1
Jack Grealish	11/1
Daniel Jebbison	12/1
Daniel Adu-Adjei	12/1
Justin Kluivert	12/1
de Oliveira Savio	12/1

🎯 Anytime Goalscorer

Player	Odds
Erling Haaland	1/1
Omar Marmoush	11/8
Phil Foden	11/5
Oscar Bobb	13/5
James McAtee	13/5
Kevin De Bruyne	11/4
Evanilson	3/1
Luis Sinisterra	10/3
Dango Ouattara	10/3
Daniel Adu-Adjei	10/3
Jack Grealish	19/5
Justin Kluivert	4/1

🔢 Correct Score

Manchester City Win

Score	Odds
2-1	8/1
2-0	17/2
1-0	9/1
3-1	11/1
3-0	12/1
4-1	20/1
4-0	20/1
3-2	20/1
4-2	33/1
5-0	40/1

Draw

Score	Odds
1-1	17/2
2-2	16/1
0-0	22/1
3-3	60/1
4-4	300/1

Bournemouth Win

Score	Odds
2-1	20/1
1-0	25/1
2-0	40/1
3-2	45/1
3-1	50/1
3-0	100/1
4-2	150/1
4-1	160/1
4-3	200/1
4-0	350/1
5-2	400/1
5-1	450/1
5-3	500/1

🕰️ Half-Time / Full-Time

Result	Odds
Man City / Man City	5/4
Draw / Man City	19/5
Draw / Draw	7/1
Bournemouth / Bournemouth	10/1
Draw / Bournemouth	14/1
Man City / Draw	16/1
Bournemouth / Draw	18/1
Bournemouth / Man City	20/1
Man City / Bournemouth	50/1

🎯 Total Goals – Over / Under

Over

Goals	Odds
Over 2.5	8/15
Over 3	13/16
Over 3.5	13/10
Over 4	28/13
Over 4.5	3/1
Over 5	11/2
Over 5.5	7/1
Over 6	23/2
Over 6.5	16/1
Over 7.5	33/1
Over 8.5	66/1

Under

Goals	Odds
Under 4	1/3
Under 3.5	7/10
Under 3	68/67
Under 2.5	7/4
Under 2	13/4
Under 1.5	27/5
Under 1	12/1
Under 0.5	22/1

🎯 Total Goals – Exact

Total Goals	Odds
3 Goals	3/1
2 Goals	10/3
4 Goals	19/5
1 Goal	6/1
5 Goals	13/2
6 Goals	12/1
7+ Goals	14/1
0 Goals	22/1

🚩 Total Corners

Over

Total Corners	Odds
Over 8.5	4/11
Over 9.5	8/13
Over 10	5/6
Over 10.5	21/20
Over 11.5	17/10
Over 12	21/10
Over 12.5	11/4
Over 13.5	4/1
Over 14.5	11/2
Over 15.5	8/1
Over 16.5	11/1
Over 17.5	16/1
Over 18.5	25/1
Over 19.5	33/1

Under

Total Corners	Odds
Under 12.5	4/11
Under 11.5	4/7
Under 10.5	10/11
Under 10	13/10
Under 9.5	7/5
Under 8.5	23/10
Under 7.5	19/5
Under 6.5	13/2
Under 5.5	10/1
Under 4.5	18/1
Under 3.5	28/1