AFC Bournemouth vs Manchester City Predictions

AFC Bournemouth vs Manchester City predictions for this FA Cup clash. Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in a standout FA Cup quarter-final clash, featuring a Catalan-Basque managerial duel at the Vitality Stadium this weekend. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

FA Cup | Quarter-Finals | Mar 30, 2025 at 4.30pm UK at Vitality Stadium

AFC Bournemouth vs Manchester City Predictions

Can Bournemouth Defy the Odds Again or Will City’s Experience Prevail in This Quarter-Final Showdown?

• City’s Leaky Defence on the Road
  • Manchester City have only managed three clean sheets in their last 15 away games, conceding heavily to top opposition and mid-table sides alike.
• Bournemouth’s Historic Win Still Fresh
  • The Cherries beat City 2-1 at the Vitality earlier this season, their first ever win over them—proving they can rise to the occasion again.
• Semenyo Loves the Cup
  • Antoine Semenyo has scored twice and assisted once in his three FA Cup appearances, and he already netted against City this campaign.

Best Bet for AFC Bournemouth vs Manchester City

The south coast is bracing itself for a proper clash of footballing philosophies as Bournemouth welcome Manchester City to the Vitality Stadium for a spot in the FA Cup semi-finals. With the Cherries relishing a rare quarter-final appearance and the reigning English champions desperate to avoid a season without silverware, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Bournemouth’s journey to this stage has been filled with drama, nerve and a little bit of chaos—typified by their shootout triumph over Wolves. Yet they’ve shown they’ve got grit as well as flair. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s City haven’t exactly steamrolled their way through the cup, and if their unconvincing win over Plymouth Argyle is anything to go by, there’s vulnerability creeping into a side that was once borderline untouchable.

Throw in the fact that Bournemouth already beat City this season—yes, you read that right, they beat them—and suddenly this fixture feels a whole lot spicier than a standard David vs Goliath encounter. It’s not just pride on the line; for City, it’s reputation, rhythm, and what little remains of their season’s objectives. For Bournemouth? It’s the chance to make history, and perhaps stir a bit more fear into the so-called elites.

Best Bet for Bournemouth vs Manchester City: Bournemouth/Draw Double Chance

Among all the different betting options available for this match, our chosen tip—the Bournemouth/Draw Double Chance—stands out as the clearest and strongest selection. At BettingTips4You, we always believe in giving just one best tip per event. That way, we keep things simple, straightforward, and more importantly, honest. With only a single prediction per match, we hold ourselves fully accountable for what we back.

So, why go with Bournemouth not to lose in 90 minutes? Well, let’s break it down.

Manchester City might still carry the weight of their name and that big blue aura, but their recent performances suggest something is off. Since grinding past Plymouth, they’ve stuttered in the league—falling to Nottingham Forest, then letting Brighton claw back a draw. Even with Ederson’s return and Haaland’s ridiculous stats, there’s been a visible dip in cohesion. A few key players are still out—Rodri, Stones, Ake and Akanji—and their backline has looked far from convincing, shipping goals against PSG, Arsenal and Real Madrid. It’s no wonder they’ve managed just three clean sheets in their last 15 away fixtures.

Bournemouth, on the other hand, have the wind in their sails when it comes to this competition. Despite a drop-off in league form, Iraola’s men have battled through adversity in the FA Cup. They brushed aside Everton, smashed West Brom, and even outlasted Wolves on penalties. Let’s not forget their sensational league win over City at this very stadium just a few months ago—evidence that they can hurt Guardiola’s side and aren’t merely here to make up the numbers.

They’ll be missing Huijsen and Kerkez, true, but Senesi is back to fill in, and Soler looks a capable deputy. The home crowd will be bouncing, and the players know this is potentially the biggest 90 minutes of their careers. Semenyo, with his goals and chaos, adds another dimension—and he’s already scored against City once this season.

“City look fragile, disjointed even—and if Bournemouth play with the same aggression and belief as they did in November, they can absolutely get something from this game.”
– BettingTips4You.com expert Gram Dodd

This isn’t just a fluke possibility—it’s backed up by form, context and momentum. The Cherries are no longer the pushovers they once were, and City, despite their pedigree, look there for the taking.

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Likely Correct Score: Bournemouth 2-2 Manchester City

This could be one of those madcap cup ties where tactics are thrown out the window and both sides just go for it. Bournemouth have the attacking tools to breach City’s weakened backline more than once, and let’s face it, the visitors will also create chances. With both teams preferring to play on the front foot and defensive questions on either side, a 2-2 scoreline feels realistic. Expect goals, drama, and possibly extra time.

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