Bournemouth v Manchester City: Jesus influence points to fresh City feel

CHRIS Graham (@chrisgraham79) takes a look at the Monday night match between Bournemouth and Manchester City.

Bournemouth v Manchester City | Monday 20:00 | Sky Sports 1

It's been a funny old season eh? A month ago Pep Guardiola's credentials were being questioned by (nearly) all and sundry after a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Everton, but if Man City win on Monday they'll move back up to second place in the table.

Boxing Day was the last time City scaled those heights and the spur for this rejuvenation has to be the introduction of the exciting Gabriel Jesus. The 19 year old has scored in both his league starts for his new club and has added energy to a failing side.

Jesus the rejuvenater

Monday night's match looks the perfect platform for him as Bournemouth are all at sea defensively at the moment and have injury worries with regard to Simon Francis, Charlie Daniels and Adam Smith.

Perhaps the bookmakers, pundits and even Guardiola underestimated just how stale this Man City side is and the introduction of Jesus seems just the tonic to fire verve into the collective City belly as the final third of the season approaches.

Bournemouth's form is a concern. They haven't won in 2017 and have figures of P6 W0 D2 L4 for the year. One of those draws came in their opening match of 2017 when they finished level at 3-3 with Arsenal.

That night of course they were 3-0 up and it might be that losing their lead against the Gunners and being kicked out the FA Cup by League One Millwall later that week has taken it's toll.

One point from 12 has followed and worryingly for the Cherries two of those defeats have came against sides in the relegation zone. Inevitably they've been drawn into the relegation chatter.

Defence

The obvious problem with this side is their defence and only Swansea have conceded more goals than them this Premier League season. In their last 13 matches they've conceded 34 goals – that's essentially 2.5 goals leaked per game.

The Citizens have also played with much more style away from the Etihad this season and sit 2nd in the away table after eight wins from their 12 road games.

I'm going to keep this simple and back Man City to win in a game with three or more goals. Bournemouth have performed well against the top sides this season but should find it hard to quell this resurgent City side.

The selection has paid out in the last three Man City games while eight of the last nine Bournemouth games have gone Over 2.5.