Three key storylines to watch as Bournemouth faces Man City in the FA Cup | OneFootball

In the final FA Cup quarter-final fixture, Bournemouth hosts Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium. The Cherries secured their place in the last eight after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fifth round. Meanwhile, the visitors booked their quarter-final spot with a 3-1 win over Plymouth Argyle. Here’s what to watch for in this crucial clash.

1. Manchester City’s last shot at silverware

Pep Guardiola’s side has endured a difficult season by their high standards. They currently sit fifth in the Premier League, 22 points behind league leaders Liverpool. Their EFL Cup campaign ended in the Round of 16 at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, while their UEFA Champions League journey was cut short in the playoffs by Real Madrid.

This leaves the FA Cup as their only remaining chance to win silverware this season. The last time City ended a season without a trophy was Guardiola’s first year in charge. Among the remaining FA Cup contenders, Manchester City is the only team to have won a major title in recent history, making them the favorites on paper. However, their struggles this season and the strength of the competition suggest the outcome is far from a foregone conclusion. Notably, Bournemouth defeated City at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League earlier this season.