Tomorrow marks one year to the day since AFC Bournemouth were finally able to beat Manchester City in the Premier League, with a famous 2-1 victory at Dean Court. A year on, Andoni Iraola will be hoping for a similar result against the same side, this time at the Etihad. Here is how I think Iraola will line his team up for this intriguing clash, followed by a match preview:

GK: Djordje Petrovic

Petrovic kept his fourth clean sheet of the season last weekend, making a great save in the second half from Morgan Gibbs-White’s curling effort. Petrovic will likely need to be at his best in order to get a positive result out of this one.

RB: Alex Jimenez

Jimenez has got better and better as the weeks have gone on, with a noticeable improvement in his discipline. This will be his toughest test so far, but a challenge I’m sure he will be relishing.

CBs: Bafode Diakite + Marcos Senesi

It was surprising last weekend to see Veljko Milosavjlevic start in place of Diakite, and keeping a clean sheet means there will be something of a selection headache for Iraola. However, against the machine that is Erling Haaland, I predict the boss will choose his more experienced central defender to partner Senesi at the back.

LB: Adrien Truffert

Truffert was at his best again last week, with a well deserved MOTM award. Again, this may be his toughest test yet, but given the quality he has shown so far, there is nothing to suggest he won’t be up for the challenge.

DM (‘6’): Tyler Adams

Adams has been phenomenal this season, and there is not many better players in the league at what he does. He is the type of player who will be looking forward to the challenge up against one of the best midfield’s in the league, if not the world.

CM (‘8’): Alex Scott

Adams’ midfield partner, Alex Scott, has also been brilliant, shown by the fact he is keeping out last season’s POTS Ryan Christie. Scott might be forced to play a bit deeper than some weeks, but I believe he can show his quality again.

AM (’10’): Justin Kluivert

Kluivert may feel he needs to add more output in terms of G/A this season, but his work in the press (especially without Evanilson) and ability to create something out of nothing means he will likely start again here.

WINGERS: Marcus Tavernier + Antoine Semenyo

Tavernier was fantastic last weekend, other than scoring directly from a corner, and his work going both ways will be vital to try and force a result. Antoine Semenyo is the King of the counter attack, and will be looking to terrorise City in a similar way to how he did in the game a year ago. David Brooks will be knocking on Iraola’s door for a start, with the possibility he or Tavernier could start in the 10.

ST: Junior Kroupi

Evanilson is back and in contention after injury – but you surely can’t drop a striker who has scored four goals in three games. Kroupi might not offer as much in his all round game (yet) as Evanilson, but his confidence must be at an all time high and his clinical edge will be key if we are to get some chances at the Etihad. Enes Unal might also be an option off the bench after his return last weekend.

MATCH PREVIEW:

AFC Bournemouth have a truly terrible record at the Etihad. In the Premier League, City have won 8/8 against the Cherries – 15/16 in total, with the only win for AFCB coming a year ago.

But City have already lost three times this season, including last time out at Villa Park, and AFCB are on the longest unbeaten streak in the league, having not lost since opening day. It hasn’t been all bad for City, though, with Erling Haaland continuing to show he is the best striker in the world, with 11 goals in nine games to start the campaign. Pep Guardiola feels his side are getting close to their best, and they will be boosted this weekend by the return of Rodri.

Andoni Iraola has a fully fit squad to choose from for the first time in over a year, so it will be interesting to see who misses out on the matchday squad. But it’s a good dilemma to have, given the injury problems over the last year.

The performance a year ago, especially in the first half, was arguably the best under Iraola. They suffocated City with such an intense press from the get-go, and were well worthy of the three points. The style of play arguably suits playing a team like City more than others, especially if AFCB are able to utilise their threat on the counter attack.

But there is no doubting City’s abundance of world class talent, and if they are on it, there are not many teams in the world who can match them. Iraola will be hoping for a more competitive performance than last year’s one at the Etihad, but it should be a good team who’s differing styles could make for a very entertaining game.

PREDICTION: Manchester City 2-1 AFC Bournemouth