Forecast of the quarter finals of the Sutton Fa Cup against DJ Nathan Dawe
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Vitality Stadium, 16:30 BST
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10th in the Premier League V 5th in the Premier League
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Gap = 5
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Last important trophy? Bournemouth: Never. City: 2024 Premier League
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Best Fa Cup Run? Bournemouth: quarter -finals 1957 and 2021. City: X7 winners between 1904 and 2023
This is a tie so difficult to call.
Bournemouth was the team that began the putrefaction for Manchester City when They deservedly beaten them In November, for what was the first defeat of the season of reigning champions.
At the time they were still “powerful cities”, the team that was dominating English football, which almost never slipped.
Who would have imagined that, after five months, they would have lost eight of the next 19 championship games and be in the position that are now, with only the England Cup remained as the only thing they can win?
This competition is enormous for the city now, because it is so crucial for boss Pep Guardiola to finish such a difficult season with a piece of silverware.
Therefore, it helps him that cherries are not in great shape, with a single point of the last four championship games, and also that they are two key defenders here; Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen, both suspended.
The city is still far from convincing at the moment, however, and it is difficult to know what their strongest training is.
The Phil Foden struggles for England last week were a reminder of how PFA and Fwa Player of the Year last season were the shadow of his usual countryside of himself, but he is not the only player in the city to have been well below his best.
However, there is no possibility to save anyone for Wednesday’s championship match against Leicester, even if City had a real fight in hand to end up in the top five.
Pep always takes the Cup of England, and has shown that reaching the semifinals for each of the last six seasons – something that no other team had done before.
Will City return to the last four? Yes … but only.
Bournemouth are so good with their press that they will not allow City to play easily from behind – there will be many goals and I can see it arrange in extra time.
Sutton forecast: 2-3 after extra times
Forecast of Nathan: Bournemouth is experiencing a good season, but I’m still supporting the city to overcome. 1-3
