2026-2027 Premier League: Manchester City vs. Bournemouth, Probable Lineups

Manchester City and Bournemouth face off at 3 p.m. in their opening match of the 2026-2027 Premier League season. Following their defeat in the Community Shield, Maresca’s Citizens make their league debut against the Cherries, a rapidly improving team that finished last season’s Premier League with 18 consecutive positive results.

Maresca, continuing in the tactical footsteps of his mentor Guardiola, starts once again with Haaland as the focal point of the attack, which also features Semenyo, Foden, and Grealish in the attacking midfield. Doku is out with an injury. In midfield, without Rodri—who has moved to Barcelona—Anderson and Kovacic will start, while Nunes and O’Reilly will play as fullbacks.

Bournemouth will be without striker Kroupi due to injury; up front, Evanilson will be supported by Rayan, Kluivert, and Tavernier. In midfield, Cook will partner with Scott.

Manchester City vs. Bournemouth: Probable Lineups
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Anderson, Kovacic; Semenyo, Foden, Grealish; Haaland
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Silva, Truffert; Cook, Scott; Rayan, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson

“It’s a privilege to take over from Pep Guardiola, because that’s exactly why the club decided to put its faith in me,” said Maresca in his first press conference as City’s head coach. “First and foremost, I believe organization is the most important thing. This club and this organization have had three head coaches in 17 years. That’s not normal, and it hasn’t happened often. I’m confident that we can continue to do an excellent job and build on the work done over the past 14–15 years, since Mancini was here.”