Pep Guardiola&aposs side are still buoyed by the dominant 3-0 win over rivals Manchester United on Sunday, with Phil Foden adding to Erling Haaland&aposs brace on an excellent afternoon at Old Trafford. The players have had almost a full week to recover as well, having been eliminated from the Carabao Cup in the last round.
With Arsenal and Tottenham not in action until Saturday evening and Monday night respectively, City can return to the top of the Premier League with victory on Saturday. Haaland will also hope to continue his improving record in front of goal.
Alvarez and Haaland
Julian Alvarez insists he has always been able to play in the same team as Haaland, shutting down the idea that they cannot work in the same system.
After arriving at City last summer, Alvarez was often used as an alternative to Haaland, but gradually earned more starts in the same team as the free-scoring striker, with their relationship growing with a handful of assists for each other.
This term, with Kevin De Bruyne injured, Alvarez has been a regular starter in the number ten position behind Haaland, with the pair already combining for four goals between them as Alvarez is also averaging a goal or assist every 86 minutes for City.
Speaking to City&aposs official magazine, Alvarez dismissed the idea that he and Haaland cannot play together, pointing to last season&aposs form as well as this year&aposs blossoming partnership.
See what Alvarez had to say here.
Bournemouth warning
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola insists City will need to earn any success when they host the Cherries on Saturday.
City have kicked back into form after a minor slump before the October international break. Guardiola&aposs side have won their last three, including a dominant 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
They are strong favourites to take all three points again on Saturday, when they welcome lowly Bournemouth to the Etihad. Iraola&aposs side only picked up their first win of the season against Burnley last weekend and were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
But the Spanish manager has seen some positives in recent weeks and insists nothing will come easy for the home side.
Read the full story here.
