Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth host Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium on Monday (8pm kick-off) in desperate need of a Premier League victory.

The Cherries were thumped 6-3 by in-form Everton last weekend to slip to 14th in the table, just six points clear of the bottom three.

Although that’s still a healthy gap, Howe’s men have won just one of their last eight league matches, and similar form in their next eight matches would put them right into the relegation dog-fight.

And it won’t be easy against Pep Guardiola’s City, who won their last two league games, and six of their last nine in the Premier League.

The Citizens got the better of Swansea 2-1 last week to back up their 4-0 thrashing of West Ham a few days earlier, two results which moved them up to third in the division ahead of the weekend’s matches.

Clearly, City will go in as favourites on Monday night, but with a win over Liverpool and a draw with Arsenal at the Vitality this term, Bournemouth will be confident of causing an upset.

Based on last week’s disappointing display at Everton, Howe could be tempted to make a few changes to his side against City, so here are THREE players who deserve a chance on Monday…

Brad Smith

Bournemouth were absolutely dominated in the first half by Everton last weekend, with Howe’s utilisation of a back three coming back to haunt him at Goodison Park.

However, when he brought Brad Smith on at half-time to move to a back four, they looked much better, so the Cherries boss may be inclined to start the defender in a back four against Manchester City.

The 22-year-old has only made three Premier League starts this season, but has been in and around the team for most of the campaign, with appearances in both of their FA Cup and League Cup games.

And, with Charlie Daniels doubtful for the visit of Guardiola’s side on Monday, it could be Smith who gets the nod against City.

Jordon Ibe

Like Smith, Jordon Ibe had a positive influence on the game at Goodison Park last weekend, and must be pushing for a start against City on Monday.

The England Under-21 international, who moved to the South Coast last summer for £15 million, has struggled to replicate the form he sometimes showed at Liverpool, and has actually yet to net or lay on an assist in 18 league appearances this term.

That must be of concern to Howe, but given how well Ibe did off the bench against Everton, the Cherries boss may be tempted to give him his first league start since November 5 on Monday.

Junior Stanislas

Junior Stanislas lost his place in the side for the trip to Everton last weekend after a below-par showing in the Cherries’ 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace a few days earlier.

However, with one goal and two assists in his preceding four matches, the 27-year-old is clearly in decent form, which suggests that his display against Palace may have been a mere one-off.

Thus, the former West Ham winger could be recalled to the team to face City on Monday, as he could cause a vulnerable City defence some problems with his pace and energy.

City have occasionally lost concentration at the back in recent games, so Stanislas’ quick-thinking and agility in the final third could be what Bournemouth need to get back to winning ways on Monday.