There’s a plethora of City-centric news and views in Saturday’s media round-up with the focus trained on our trip to Bournemouth.

There are also predictions ahead of Sunday’s game, more praise for Raheem Sterling as well as the latest transfer gossip.

Plus, there’s a fascinating snippet from our own Ilkay Gundogan about which City duo the German midfielder believes could be potential Ballon d’Or contenders.

News

Sky Sports Poor record against City inspires us, says Cherries boss

“Eddie Howe says Bournemouth are getting closer to taking points off Manchester City and insists their poor record against them “inspires” his side.

“Bournemouth have never beaten City in a competitive match and have failed to earn a single point against them since being promoted to the Premier League in 2015.

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“Howe’s team host the champions on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports, and despite that daunting record, the Bournemouth boss is using it as motivation.

“It inspires me,” Howe said. “We’ve got to try and turn that around and use that record to inspire us in this game. I don’t think we’re the only team to suffer a bad record against Manchester City in recent years.

“They’re an outstanding team and every time we’ve played against them we’ve come off the pitch learning more about ourselves and what we have to do to grow and become better. We try and embrace these challenges and not look at it fearfully.”

Bournemouth Echo ‘Sterling one of the best players England has produced’

Dan Rose “Charlie Daniels described City’s Raheem Sterling as “one of the best England players we’ve produced” – but insisted he was not the only player Cherries needed to stop.

“Full-back Daniels, who last week returned to Premier League action for the first time since March following kneecap surgery, could end up marking the England international at Vitality Stadium on Sunday (2pm).

Fight 'til the end: Part One

“Sterling has 10 goals in nine games against Cherries in all competitions.

“Asked about the prospect of facing up against Sterling, Daniels told the Daily Echo: “He is on the top level. You see how much he has progressed under the manager.

“He wanted to prove himself, you can see the rewards he’s got now. He is easily one of the best England players we’ve produced and is going to be a tough one to stop.

“But he is not the only one. You can go through the whole team and they have a lot of threats. We need to be on our A-game if we are going to get anything.”

Manchester Evening News Spain boss reveals how Rodrigo fits into his plans

Marcus Banks: “Spain manager Robert Moreno believes that Manchester City star Rodrigo can be used alongside Barcelona maestro Sergio Busquets, rather than replace him.

“Rodrigo was identified by Pep Guardiola as the ideal long-term successor to Fernandinho following a superb season with Atletico Madrid and City broke their transfer record to bring him to the Etihad.

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“Just like at club level, the 23-year-old is viewed as the natural replacement for Busquets in the Spanish national team once the legendary Barcelona man hangs up his boots.

“However, Moreno has revealed he has plans to use the two defensive midfielders together in a two-man pivot due to Rodrigo ‘s “incredible quality”.

Against the right opposition, the Spain boss may opt to use the system.

“Of course, if there is a match in which we consider that the opponent is good in the air, or that we need more physical players we will try, without losing our identity, to include the players that can improve us in that department,” he told El Pais. “I think we now have players that have many characteristics. Rodrigo has incredible quality, but Fabian [Ruiz] too.”

BBC Kompany injured in Anderlecht defeat

“Former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany suffered an injury in Anderlecht’s 1-0 defeat by Genk.

“The centre-back could be a doubt to play in his testimonial which takes place at Etihad Stadium in three weeks.

“Kompany, who joined Anderlecht as player-manager this summer, was treated on the sidelines before strapping an ice pack to his right leg.

“He is due to return to Manchester on 11 September to celebrate 11 successful years at City.

“The Belgian side have picked up just two points out of a possible 15 in their first five games - extending their worst start for 21 years.

“Tanzanian striker Mbwana Samatta’s 55th-minute goal was enough to give Belgian champions Genk their third victory of the season.”

Predictions

Sky Sports Nicholas backs City to prevail

Charlie Nicholas: “Last season Bournemouth didn’t have a shot when they played Manchester City at home and lost 1-0. They got a bit of praise for the way they played, but I don’t like to praise a team for playing like that, particularly at home.

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“Eddie Howe is not that type of manager. I can understand why you would want to sit in and not open up but they are at home and I don’t expect them to go down this season, so why not see what happens? I am not saying get involved in an end-to-end game but they must try and lay a glove on City.

“City can let goals in if you have a go at them, we have seen that from set-pieces.

“However, City were brilliant for long periods against Tottenham and Kevin De Bruyne was amazing. They have goals, pace, cleverness, and I can only a see comfortable win here.

“Nicholas’s prediction 0-3”

BBC Lawrenson says City will bounce back to winning ways

Mark Lawrenson: “City will still be annoyed about last weekend when VAR ruled out that late winner against Tottenham but it should be a routine win this weekend.

“The problem for Bournemouth is that City have the ability to unpick their defence. Eddie Howe’s side had a good win against Aston Villa but I can’t see them getting a result here.

“Lawrenson’s prediction 0-3”

City Social

Ilkay Gundogan’s Twitter Q and A

Our German international fielded a question and answer session with fans yesterday and was asked by one supporter who in the City squad he would back to win the Ballon d’Or in the future...

Transfer news

sportswitness.co.uk City send scouts to watch Spanish youngster

Sean Lunt “Earlier this week we brought you a report that Chelsea are interested in Tenerife youngster Pedri González.

“The 16-year-old has been impressing for the Spanish side and attracted interest from all around Europe, with the most prominent clubs said to be ‘marvelling’ at him.

“One of those were Chelsea, who had moved ‘strongly’ alongside Barcelona. Now, it seems, Manchester City are also on the list of admirers.

“Canarias 7 report that City have the youngster among their targets and even sent scouts to Marbella, with the specific task of scouting him.

“They were impressed by what they saw, with the report stating the scouts sent positive reports back to the Etihad, who believe he would be at home with Pep Guardiola’s style of football.”