Bournemouth vs City: First match under new managers

Bournemouth will host Manchester City on Sunday, 23 August 2026 at the Etihad Stadium. The match marks the first league fixture for new Bournemouth manager Marco Rose and City’s new coach Enzo Maresca, following Guardiola’s departure.

Match Overview

Bournemouth will face Manchester City on Sunday, 23 August 2026 at the Etihad Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:00 BST. Referee Jarred Gillett will oversee the game, with VAR Paul Howard in attendance. The last Premier League encounter between the clubs ended in a 1-1 draw on 19 May 2026.

The fixture is the first league match for both clubs under new management: Enzo Maresca takes charge of City after Pep Guardiola’s exit, and Marco Rose replaces Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth following Iraola’s move to Liverpool. City’s season opener follows a 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, while Bournemouth’s pre-season saw three wins from five friendlies, 22 goals scored, and a 10-1 victory over Genoa.

Team News

Manchester City

Jeremy Doku is ruled out for two to three weeks after aggravating a calf injury in the Community Shield. Savinho and Omar Marmoush are also unavailable as they remain in talks over a move to Tottenham Hotspur. Matheus Nunes, who missed the Shield due to a minor muscle problem, may return at right-back. Elliot Anderson, signed this summer, will continue in central midfield alongside Mateo Kovačić. With Doku absent, Jack Grealish is set for a surprise recall on the left flank, while former Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo is expected to start on the right.

Bournemouth

Ryan Christie begins the season suspended, a carry-over from last term. Eli Junior Kroupi, Amine Adli, Veljko Milosavljevic, Julian Araujo, David Brooks and Julio Soler are all out through injury. Tyler Adams, Juanlu Sánchez and Álvaro Rodríguez have returned to training but are not yet fully available. New signing António Silva is expected to make his debut in central defence alongside James Hill.