Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Bournemouth 'should not abandon their principles' in Saturday's clash with the Premier League champions at the Vitality Stadium.

The Cherries have made an inconsistent start to the 2024-25 campaign, winning three, drawing three and losing three of their opening nine league matches and subsequently sit 11th in the top-flight standings.

However, Andoni Iraola's side have impressed in two challenging matches against Arsenal and Aston Villa in the last fortnight, beating the former 2-0 on home soil before snatching a point from the latter in a 1-1 draw last weekend, courtesy of a 96th-minute equaliser from Evanilson.

A third consecutive fixture against a top-four team from last season is up next for Bournemouth, who will test their mettle against the only side who are yet to lose in the Premier League this term - leaders Man City.

It is fair to say that Bournemouth have struggled in previous meetings with Man City, as they have won none of their 20 league encounters (D2 L18), the most one side has faced another without ever winning in English Football League history.

The Cherries have lost all 14 Premier League meetings with the Citizens by an aggregate score of 45-7, including a 6-1 away defeat and a 1-0 home loss last season.

Guardiola will take 'fearless' Bournemouth 'really seriously'

Despite this, McInerney feels that Pep Guardiola will not take this "fearless" Bournemouth side lightly on Saturday, considering their "impressive" performances in recent matches against Arsenal and Aston Villa.

"[Bournemouth are] a good side. I think Guardiola will obviously take them really seriously," McInerney told Sports Mole. "Their last couple of results have been big for them. To get a point at Aston Villa is really impressive. Obviously, beating Arsenal was even more impressive.

"They've got quality. The likes of [Antoine] Semenyo, [Justin] Kluivert, Enes Unal - an ex-City lad - and [Ryan] Christie. It's a good side and Iraola's got them playing, they're really organised, they're really structured.

"They're a fearless side as well, and I think that's a big part of the reason they're getting these results against big sides, because they're not afraid to be pragmatic while also attacking."

Guardiola has suggested that Bournemouth will not play in the same way as Southampton, who lost 1-0 at Man City last weekend, and the Cherries' more expansive approach in front of their own fans could benefit the Citizens, as they relish taking on opponents who play with a higher defensive line as opposed to those who sit back in a low block.

McInerney does not believe that Bournemouth will throw the kitchen sink at Man City, but he expects Iraola to stick to his gameplan and has encouraged the Cherries to not 'abandon their principles' if they wish to truly test themselves against one of the best.

"I think Guardiola sometimes knows what he's doing when he tells managers that he's a fan of how they play and that they shouldn't abandon their principles because he wants them to come at you. It's easier (for City) and he's right," said McInerney.

'Bournemouth should test their methods against Man City'

"I don't think you should ever abandon your principles. Especially if it's a game where it's not a big deal if you lose. Bournemouth aren't bothered if they lose against Man City. It's not going to define their season.

"There's something to be said for trying how you play against the best to do it, because that's the true test of your methods and the ideas that you're putting into practice.

"I don't think they'll fully go at Man City. There'll be a slight compromise because it would be stupid not to. They'll be quicker to get back and defend, but I still think they'll carry on playing football because it's just who they are. I don't think you can switch that off when you've been playing that way.

"Guardiola knows how Bournemouth play. Everyone does. They're a good side sat in mid-table. They've had some good results, but I don't think they'll expect to beat City.

"I don't think they'll really park the bus. They'll defend well, but I don't think they'll be afraid to attack us, especially at their ground and I think that could suit City a little bit.

"I think Guardiola wants Bournemouth to be aggressive. You've seen what City can do with space in behind. They're devastating. We rarely get a chance to utilise [Erling] Haaland's pace it because there's just no opportunity for him.

"If Haaland was in that Real Madrid side (that lost 4-0 to Barcelona last weekend) he would have had a hat-trick at half time. He would kill for that space, but we just don't get it in the Premier League."

McInerney confident of Man City win in "battle" with Bournemouth

Despite watching Man City lose 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16 of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night, McInerney is confident that the Citizens will get the job done on Saturday and hopes that Guardiola's players will be up for a "battle" against Bournemouth, as they endeavour to maintain their position at the top of the table.

"I'm hoping City will be a little bit more rested. Some of the players will finally get a bit of rest, given the rotation from the Carabao Cup game against Spurs, so I'm expecting and hoping City will be up for this," said McInerney.

"Haaland will be a little bit more rested and I do feel there's something to be said as well for the fact that because we've got the injuries right now, you can't really change too much. The team sort of picks itself, so there's a natural rhythm that comes from that.

"Guardiola can work all week essentially with the same starting lineup. He knows what it's going to be bar one or two players, because it has to be that side.

"There's some defensive changes you can make, but largely the forward line and the midfield is going to be pretty much predictable. You could argue between [Ilkay] Gundogan and [Mateo] Kovacic (in midfield), but we know what [the rest of the lineup is] going to be.

"At Bournemouth, it's going to be a battle. It'll be a grind... I'm still pretty confident about a victory, but it's going to be close. 2-0 or something like that with a late second, maybe 2-1. It's not going to be easy."

Man City could be without up to nine players for their visit to Bournemouth, with Manuel Akanji and Savinho the latest duo to have entered the treatment room - the latter of whom was stretchered off with an apparent ankle injury in midweek.