Kluivert has been Bournemouth’s standout attacking player this season, registering 18 goal contributions across his 28 Premier League appearances whilst averaging 1.29 shots on target per 90.

He’s had three shots on target across his 146 minutes in the FA Cup this season (1.85 per 90), also returning two goal contributions in the cup competition. Kluivert plays just in behind the striker who is expected to be Evanilson for this game, Evanilson is trusted for his work off the ball in helping Bournemouth establish an intense press which allows Kluivert space to have shots.

Kluivert is on penalties for Bournemouth and enters this game with momentum after impressing for Netherlands during the international break. Kluivert had three shots with two of these attempts finding the target in the initial league meeting between these sides at the Vitality Stadium.

Tavernier is an important component of Bournemouth’s intense press in the final third which helps to set the tone for their performances. The attacking quartet look to close down the opposition backline quickly which regularly sees the Bournemouth forwards commit fouls.

Tavernier has committed 23 fouls across his 22 Premier League appearances this season (1.37 per 90) and has been shown a yellow card in each of his last two Premier League appearances. The initial league meeting between these sides saw Tavernier contest 12 duels and commit a foul, highlighting Bournemouth’s tendency to push their attacking players on when without the ball.

No side is committing more fouls per game than Bournemouth in the Premier League this season (13.8 per game). They committed 11 fouls in the league meeting between these sides at the Vitality Stadium and can post similar numbers again here, with Andoni Iraola’s side unlikely to be phased by a faltering City side meaning that they should feel comfortable in taking the game to last year’s finalists.

Bournemouth drew four saves from Ederson in the initial league meeting between these sides at the Vitality Stadium earlier in the campaign. The Manchester City keeper has been called into action far more frequently this season, as a result of a disorganised defence and midfield making it easier for sides to get shots off against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Bournemouth are averaging 5.8 shots on target per game in the Premier League this season, only Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool can boast a better record in this metric than the Cherries, which further highlights how their style of play directly leads to attempts on target. When Bournemouth win the ball back through their intense press, they won’t look to overplay the ball and instead get a shot off as soon as possible which aids us in our selection here.

Bournemouth have drawn 3+ saves from the opposition keeper in 23 of their 29 Premier League matches (79%), which is a record that includes this selection landing in each of their last eight Premier League games.

No side is committing more fouls per game in the Premier League this season than Bournemouth (13.8 per game). This record is informed by an intense press in the opposition half which is split into two phases, in the first phase the attacking players will look to win back the ball which results in clumsy and mistimed challenges, whilst the second stage involves the midfield duo halting any counter-attacks when Bournemouth overcommit in the final third.

This press naturally bolsters Bournemouth’s foul numbers and we need them to come in just under their average in the Premier League here. The Cherries committed 11 fouls in the league meeting with Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium earlier in the campaign and should be able to replicate that number here.

Bournemouth committed 17 fouls in the last round of the FA Cup against Wolves and generally don’t mind being without the ball which should see City dominate possession. This will aid our selection as Bournemouth will have more opportunities to press Manchester City and see the foul tally rise with a potential semi final on the horizon for Andoni Iraola’s side.

The league meeting between these sides produced three goals in a 2-1 win for Bournemouth. Neither of these sides have shown enough in recent weeks to suggest that this will be a comfortable defensive display which should see goals flow at both ends.

Bournemouth have seen over 2.5 goals in three of their last five games across all competitions which includes their last two games prior to the international break against Tottenham and Brentford. The break actually came at a good time for Bournemouth, seeing as they have failed to win any of their last five games across all competitions. Their 14 home games this season have produced 30 goals (2.14 per game).

Manchester City have seen over 2.5 goals in two of their last five games across all competitions, Pep Guardiola’s side have only kept one clean sheet across these games which came against Tottenham which would indicate that their defensive problems are still prevalent, which is something that Bournemouth can take advantage of. Four of the last five head to head meetings have produced over 2.5 goals.

Haaland had five shots in the league meeting between the sides with two of these attempts finding the target. He also hit the woodwork from close range with one of these attempts suggesting that he was unlucky not to find the back of the net, backed up by his xG (0.88).

Haaland had two shots on target in just 31 minutes against Plymouth in the last round of the FA Cup and has a very solid record in the Premier League this season. Haaland has had 58 shots on target across his 28 Premier League appearances this term (2.10 per 90). No player has had more shots on target than the 24-year-old in the Premier League this season.

Haaland’s promising shot on target record has returned 21 goals, he also scored in both games for Norway over the international break – having at least two shots on target in each of these games – meaning that he enters this game with some recent momentum. Despite City’s struggles this season, Haaland has stayed consistent in front of goal and should be able to live up to his league average here.

Lewis Cook has played in the heart of midfield and at right back for Bournemouth this season, both positions which set him up well for a caution here especially when considering Bournemouth’s aggressive approach all over the park.

Cook is averaging 1.66 fouls committed per 90 across his 28 Premier League appearances this season, an average he lived up to in the league meeting between the sides in committing a foul from nine duels in total. He partnered Ryan Christie on that occasion, the pair are asked to ensure that Bournemouth are not left short staffed at the back on transition which sees the duo commit a lot of tactical fouls.

Cook has collected six yellow cards in the Premier League this season which works out to roughly a caution every four/five games. He’s well overdue a booking with his last yellow card coming against Southampton on the 15th February. Bournemouth collected five yellow cards and committed 17 fouls in their round of 16 clash with Wolves.

Bournemouth’s aggressive approach off the ball naturally sees them pick up cards at a steady rate. Andoni Iraola’s side have collected 74 cautions in the Premier League this season, only Chelsea (75) and Southampton (79) have been shown more yellow cards than the Cherries this campaign.

Bournemouth picked up two yellow cards and committed 11 fouls in the league meeting between these sides and also showcased their combative side in the last round of the cup against Wolves, in which they collected five cautions over the 120 minutes.

Bournemouth are averaging 2.55 cards per game in the Premier League this season which is a record that should directly translate to this cup competition seeing, as Bournemouth will have to do the majority of the work off the ball which should see their foul count rise and tempt the referee to reach for his pocket on a few occasions.