Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City travel to out-of-form Bournemouth on Monday (8pm kick-off) looking for a third straight Premier League victory.

The Citizens left it late to get past relegation-threatened Swansea 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium last time out, which was their second league win in the space of five days after they powered past West Ham 4-0 at the London Stadium last week.

It means that Guardiola’s men moved back into the top four after defeats for both Arsenal and Liverpool last weekend, although they may find themselves back down into fifth by the time they kick off at the Vitality Stadium on Monday.

However, although Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth have struggled in recent weeks, they have beaten Liverpool and drawn with Arsenal at home this term, and really need to get back to winning ways shortly or else face being dragged into a relegation dog-fight.

The Cherries are 14th in the table and only six points clear of the bottom three, although just one win in eight is not going to help their cause, so getting back to winning ways quickly is essential for Howe and his men.

Nonetheless, City will go in as favourites against Bournemouth on Monday, although with key European games coming up, Guardiola could make a few changes to his starting eleven.

Thus, here are THREE players who deserve a chance against the Cherries on Monday…

Pablo Zabaleta

Fernaindinho deputised well at right-back against Swansea last week, and could be set to retain his place in the starting eleven.

However, if Guardiola wants to take him out for a natural right-back, or indeed play him in his preferred position in midfield, he could draft Pablo Zabaleta back into the side.

The Argentine international hasn’t started a game since their 2-2 draw with Tottenham back on January 21, although did perform well reasonably well against Spurs that day.

The 32-year-old did come on for the last 12 minutes against Swansea, and could be set to play slightly longer at the Vitality Stadium on Monday.

Fabian Delph

With both FA Cup and Champions League clashes to come, Guardiola may shake things up in the midfield, which could mean a first Premier League start of the season for Fabian Delph on Monday.

The England international has struggled with injury for much of the campaign, but was a feature in Guardiola’s team at the start of the season, making a few substitute appearances as well as starting their 4-0 win over Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League.

However, injury has blighted his second season at the Etihad, and many suspected that he may leave the club in January to seek more minutes on the pitch.

But he hasn’t, and could be rewarded with a start against Bournemouth on Monday.

Sergio Aguero

With the way Bournemouth have defended recently, and the way City have attacked in the first half of their matches, they will expect to create several goal-scoring opportunities at the Vitality Stadium.

And that could mean that striker Sergio Aguero is recalled to the starting eleven, either in place or alongside Gabriel Jesus.

Argentine international Aguero hasn’t started their last two Premier League games, such has been Jesus’ stunning form as part of the City front three, but Guardiola will surely want to keep his squad fresh and ready as they face some key games in the coming weeks.

Thus, the City boss may give Aguero his 15th start of the league season on Monday, with the hope that the 28-year-old adds to his 11 goals in the league thus far.