Manchester City make the long trip to the south coast on Sunday afternoon where they face Bournemouth

Manchester City make the long trip to the south coast on Sunday afternoon where they face Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

The Cityzens are desperate for redemption in the FA Cup this season having been dumped out of the Carabao Cup and Champions League, while their Premier League title defence has been disastrous as they face a battle to even make the top four. Winning the world’s oldest cup competition would guarantee a silver lining at the end of a turbulent campaign.

Pep Guardiola’s side are the obvious favourites to win the crown this year, with the remainder of the traditional ‘top six’ and Carabao Cup winners Newcastle United out of the running. However, City’s inconsistencies mean they’re far from guaranteed Wembley glory.

Bournemouth have never won a major trophy before and will be among the sides rooted for by the neutrals. The Cherries enter Sunday’s clash in disappointing form despite having enjoyed an impressive campaign on the whole, but the international break has offered Andoni Iraola’s men the chance to reset.

Long-term absentees Marcos Senesi and Julian Araujo are both close to making their comebacks having been sidelined since November. However, the defensive duo will not be rushed back into the fold given the length of their injury layoffs.

Enes Unal will not return before the beginning of next season following an ACL tear and Luis Sinisterra finds himself back in the treatment room after suffering a hamstring injury against Brentford before the international period.

Adam Smith remains a doubt, with orthodox midfielder Lewis Cook perhaps starting at right-back once again.

Bournemouth predicted lineup vs Man City (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson.

First-choice goalkeeper Ederson remains a doubt for City having missed the international break and the clash with Brighton & Hove Albion last time out due to abdominal pain. He should return in the near future but Stefan Ortega may be handed another start at the Vitality Stadium.

Rodri’s absence is still being felt by the Cityzens, who are also without important defensive trio Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and John Stones.

Oscar Bobb is nearing his first minutes since the Community Shield but the youngster will be eased back into proceedings.

Man City predicted lineup vs Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Lewis, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, Gundogan; Savinho, Marmoush, Doku; Haaland.