We simulated Bournemouth vs Man City to get a Premier League score prediction

Manchester City must return to winning ways on Saturday against Bournemouth if they want to remain close to Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

Since the turn of the year, City have struggled for consistency, dropping points in five of their last 10 games in all competitions. A draw in their last Premier League outing against Nottingham Forest saw Pep Guardiola's side drop back down to second in the league after a short stint at the top, and victory could take City back to the top on Saturday, but only if Arsenal drop points.

Guardiola's side enter the clash on the back of a 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig in the Champions League, leaving it all to play for in the second leg at the Etihad. City and Bournemouth have already met once this season, with Kevin De Bruyne starring in a 4-0 win.

So, could City stay on the tails of Arsenal with three points on Saturday? Let's take a look.

We simulated Bournemouth vs Man City to get a score prediction

To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.

We predict that the Cherries could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Neto; Smith, Stephens, Sensei, Vina; Rothwell, Billing; Ouattara, Traore, Anthony; Solanke.

We predict that City could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Ake; Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.

City took control from the go on the south coast, with Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez causing trouble on either wing. The hosts failed to contain City's threat early on, and Mahrez put Guardiola's side ahead after just six minutes.

Kevin De Bruyne skipped through two challenges in the middle before splitting open the Bournemouth back line with a pass through to Mahrez. The winger cut inside before going out again, and he drilled a powerful shot over the 'keeper and into the net.
City continued to suffocate the hosts into their own half, with the midfield battle being dominated by City as Rodri and De Bruyne dictated play. Guardiola's side became more ruthless in attack, and after 29 minutes they found themselves 3-0 ahead.

Erling Haaland scored twice in 11 minutes, the first a header as the striker met De Bruyne's corner in the centre of the box. Minutes later, De Bruyne broke through on goal and looked destined to shoot, but some smart thinking saw the Belgian flick the ball into the path of Haaland, allowing the striker to power past the 'keeper and into the net.

City were in full control, and after 70 minutes, Haaland notched another two goals, taking his tally for the day to four and putting City 5-0 up. His fourth goal came just after the restart, meeting Kyle Walker's long ball forward, holding off his marker and drilling a shot underneath the 'keeper.

Phil Foden was introduced in the second half, and the Englishman made an instant impact as he skipped down the left before firing a cross into Haaland at the back post. The striker peeled away from his marker to tap into the net and make it five.

Phillip Billing wiped out City's clean sheet in the 87th minute after his long-range strike deflected off the back of Ruben Dias and flew past Edersonm with the 'keeper wrong-footed and diving the wrong way. It proved nothing more than a consolation goal though as City secured a fantastic win on the road.

FIFA 23 predicted final score: Bournemouth 1-5 Man City

Here are the full-time match stats.

FIFA 23 predicts that Erling Haaland could produce another fantastic display, with the striker scoring four times in the simulation. City were dominant on the south coast, earning a result that would leave fans extremely pleased.