Can Iraola’s Bournemouth spoil Man City’s Champions League hopes at the Etihad? | OneFootball

Manchester City host Bournemouth tonight in their final home game of the season, hoping to steady a season that has unravelled.

With Champions League qualification still uncertain, Pep Guardiola’s side can ill afford another slip-up.

City’s 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium was another disappointing chapter in a season where they have failed to live up to their usual standards.

While Eberechi Eze’s winner and Dean Henderson’s penalty save were decisive moments, much of the post-match discussion centred around a controversial handball decision that went unpunished.

Former England forward Ian Wright labelled it ‘absolutely pathetic’, but even with VAR complaints, City’s lack of composure and missed chances told a familiar story.

Guardiola has not watched the final back, focusing instead on what lies ahead.

“I am thinking we are going to qualify,” he told reporters. “We need four points. That is the main target. I am absolutely confident of qualifying.”

City are currently sixth but remain in control of their Champions League destiny thanks to a game in hand and superior goal difference over Chelsea and Aston Villa.

However, their recent stumbles have cast doubt over their ability to finish the job. A goalless draw with Southampton last week followed a similar pattern of possession-heavy football without an end product.

Despite winning their last four Premier League games at the Etihad Stadium, their aura of dominance has dimmed.

By contrast, Bournemouth arrive with far less at stake but not entirely out of the European picture.

While their loss to ten-man Aston Villa last weekend all but ended realistic hopes of a top-seven finish, they could still qualify for the Europa Conference League.

Andoni Iraola acknowledged the odds are against his side, saying: “It is not the scenario you want, but it’s the one we have right now.”

Bournemouth’s recent away form has been quietly impressive, with just one defeat in their last 13 Premier League away matches.

The memory of their 2-1 win over City in November, even if later avenged in the FA Cup, will give them belief.

City have a perfect Premier League record against Bournemouth at the Etihad, winning all seven meetings. But this season has repeatedly shown that nothing can be taken for granted.

If Bournemouth are sharp and City feel the weight of recent disappointments, the Cherries could yet cause a stir and leave Guardiola’s men facing a frantic final day.