DE BRUYNE'S FAREWELL TO ETIHAD FACES CHERRIES' ROAD INVINCIBILITY

← Back

 

May 20, 2025 

Manchester City - AFC Bournemouth 

Etihad Stadium, Manchester

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Manchester City will face AFC Bournemouth in the 37th round of the Premier League. The match offers a likely farewell of the home star Kevin De Bruyne to Etihad Stadium against a team with excellent away form.

Manchester City have won all seven of their Premier League home games against Bournemouth – only Arsenal (10 vs Stoke) and Manchester United (8 vs Wigan) have a better 100% home win rate against an opponent in the competition. The Citizens thus represent an insurmountable obstacle for the Cherries at their own ground.

Bournemouth won the reverse fixture against Man City 2-1 in November, having been winless in their first 20 league meetings with the Citizens beforehand (D2 L18). The South England side thus achieved a historic success this season.

Manchester City have won their final home league game in 10 of the last 11 seasons (D1), including each of the last eight. Their last defeat came in the 2012-13 campaign against Norwich (2-3). The home team thus traditionally ends their home season victoriously.

Bournemouth have lost their final away league game in both of the last two seasons, last doing so in three consecutive campaigns between 1989-90 and 1991-92. The visitors thus have a chance to break this unpleasant series.

Manchester City have failed to score in six different Premier League games this season, as many as they had in 2022-23 (3) and 2023-24 (3) combined. It's the most times they've failed to score in a single league campaign since 2015-16 (8). The champions are thus experiencing atypical scoring difficulties.

Bournemouth have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League away games (W6 D5), going down 2-1 at Brighton in February. The visitors thus arrive with an exceptionally strong away record.

Bournemouth have had more shot-ending high turnovers than any other side in the Premier League this season (65). However, Man City have faced fewer shots from high turnovers than any other side in the competition this term (28). The duel thus promises an interesting tactical clash.

Manchester City have scored 13 goals from outside the box in the Premier League this season, more than any other side. However, Bournemouth have conceded just two goals from distance, fewer than anyone else. Another interesting clash of styles thus adds to the attractiveness of the duel.

Kevin De Bruyne has been directly involved in seven goals in his nine Premier League starts against Bournemouth (3 goals, 4 assists). If he plays, this will be his 142nd, and likely final, league appearance at the Etihad Stadium, with only David Silva (160) playing more at the ground in the top-flight. The Belgian star is thus likely to end his exceptional home career in City's jersey.

Evanilson has scored six goals in his last nine Premier League away starts for Bournemouth, including five in his last five. However, all six goals in this time have come in games played in London. The Brazilian striker thus faces the challenge of breaking this geographical dependency.

Tuesday's duel at the Etihad Stadium thus promises an interesting clash between a home team bidding farewell to their star and a visiting side with excellent away form who have already managed to beat City this season.

Photo: source XYZ 

We thank Stats Perform for providing the statistical data.