Man City vs Bournemouth: Doku out, predicted lineup and team news
Man City vs Bournemouth: Doku out, predicted lineup and team news

Manchester City will be without Jeremy Doku as they host Bournemouth in their first match of the Premier League season.

The Belgian winger started the Community Shield on Sunday but was forced off at half-time and replaced by Jack Grealish.

Reports in the Belgian press suggest he has picked up a calf injury which will keep him sidelined for a number of weeks.

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Attack reshuffle and predicted lineup

It is bad news for Enzo Maresca, who will now have to rejig his front four to make up for the player's absence.

Erling Haaland will keep his customary place at striker, though the three behind him will need to be rearranged. Phil Foden started in the No10 last time out, but will switch to the right wing against Bournemouth, in turn bumping Antoine Semenyo to the left wing. That creates space for Rayan Cherki to slot into the No10.

Elsewhere, few changes are expected, though three players will be uninvolved for transfer reasons. Neither Savinho nor Omar Marmoush will feature as the pair close in on moves to Tottenham, while Rodri will not be involved either after his transfer to Barcelona was confirmed on Tuesday.

Defence and midfield

Gianluigi Donnarumma was broadly unconvincing against Arsenal last time out, but should keep his place behind an unchanged back four of Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Nico O'Reilly.

Mateo Kovacic appeared back to his best in the Community Shield, though Elliot Anderson will have a point to prove after he made a subdued debut.

It remains to be seen whether Grealish will be involved in any capacity as his future remains up in the air. He impressed after replacing Doku last time out but it is not yet clear whether he is in Maresca's plans.

Match details

Man City predicted XI vs Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Kovacic, Anderson; Foden, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland

Injured: Doku, Nunes

Time and date: 2pm BST on Sunday, August 23

TV: Sky Sports

Venue: Etihad Stadium

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