Manchester City aims to secure qualification for next season`s Champions League as they welcome Bournemouth to the Etihad Stadium for their Premier League match on Tuesday. Currently sixth in the Premier League standings with a game in hand, City must win their remaining two fixtures to guarantee a spot in the upcoming Champions League campaign. Their opponents, Bournemouth, sit 11th in the table and previously defeated City 2-1 when the teams met earlier in the season.
The match at Etihad Stadium in Manchester is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET. The home side, Manchester City, are listed as -200 favorites in the latest odds, meaning a $200 wager would win $100. Bournemouth are the underdogs at +500. A draw is priced at +375, and the over/under for total goals scored is 3.5. Before placing any wagers on this match, it`s advisable to consider expert analysis.
According to SportsLine`s Jon `Buckets` Eimer, a highly-regarded soccer expert, his analysis could be valuable. Eimer concluded 2023 as SportsLine`s top soccer handicapper with a successful record on his article picks. He has demonstrated consistent profitability across various platforms.
Jon `Buckets` Eimer`s Top Picks for Man City vs. Bournemouth:
- Man City to lead at halftime (-110)
- Omar Marmoush to score or assist (-125)
Regarding the first pick, Eimer notes that Pep Guardiola`s team can confirm a Champions League spot by winning their final two games, beginning with Tuesday`s home fixture. The recent 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace may also provide extra motivation to finish the season strongly. The expert anticipates this will drive City to secure an early lead in front of their home supporters, backing them to be ahead at halftime at -110.
For the second pick, Eimer highlights the performance of Omar Marmoush, who plays just behind striker Erling Haaland. Marmoush, a January transfer from Frankfurt, has contributed to six goals (scoring or assisting) in his first 12 starts for City. Eimer explains that when opposition defenses concentrate on marking Haaland, Marmoush often finds space to influence the game effectively.
