Bournemouth has already beaten Manchester City once this season, and history suggests they might just do it again in their upcoming FA Cup quarter-final. When they first played in November, City was at the top of the league and not losing. Now, as they face this important cup match, their title dreams have fallen apart, and the FA Cup is their last shot at winning something. That earlier loss to Bournemouth kicked off a rough patch for Pep Guardiola’s team, with City losing four league games in a row and only grabbing one win in 13 matches overall. City’s Question Marks Give Bournemouth Hope.
Iraola’s Cup Experience
Bournemouth is having a great season under coach Andoni Iraola. They’re experiencing their best-ever run in the Premier League, and Iraola’s background in cup competitions suggests he could lead them to a great FA Cup journey. Spanish football expert Phil Kitromilides points out that Iraola has had success in the Copa del Rey, where he took smaller teams far in the tournament. He brought Mirandés, a second-division club from a small town, to the semi-finals in 2020, and he did the same with Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. With his experience, Iraola will believe his Bournemouth squad can pull off something similar. City’s Question Marks Give Bournemouth Hope
Manchester City’s Defensive Issues
While Bournemouth has its strengths, City’s weaknesses have been evident this season. Their defensive problems have been talked about a lot, especially their struggles away from home. In their last 21 away matches in all competitions, City has managed to keep just four clean sheets—against Leicester, Ipswich, Slovan Bratislava, and Spurs. Since Bournemouth has already beaten them once at home, City won’t feel too confident going into this game. City’s Question Marks Give Bournemouth Hope.
Inconsistency in Guardiola’s Team
Despite some improvements in 2025 with new players like Omar Marmoush and Nico González, City is still inconsistent. European football expert Julien Laurens notes that whenever City seems to get better, they quickly slip back into defensive issues, silly mistakes, or puzzling decisions from Guardiola. Injuries and squad depth continue to be worries, leaving people guessing which version of City will show up at the Vitality Stadium.
The Vitality Stadium Advantage
Former goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer thinks Bournemouth’s home ground could play a big role. The Vitality Stadium is small and creates a heated atmosphere, making it tough for visiting teams. With fans so close to the pitch, it puts more pressure on opponents. Schwarzer believes this vibe could help Bournemouth as they aim for their first major trophy.
A High-Stakes Match
With City struggling for consistency and Bournemouth gaining confidence, this FA Cup quarter-final promises to be an exciting match. It’s all set for Monday, March 31, at 2:30 AM (AEDT), and you can catch it live on Optus Sport.
