Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will look to move up to second in the Premier League table this evening when they face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium (8pm kick-off).

The Citizens slipped out of the top four over the weekend following wins for both Arsenal and Liverpool, yet Tottenham’s defeat to the latter leaves the door slightly ajar for Guardiola’s men, given that they could move up to second with victory.

City go into tonight’s game on the back of three successive wins in all competitions, and they’ll be confident of overcoming a Bournemouth side that have seriously struggled in recent weeks.

Eddie Howe’s side have won just one of their last eight Premier League matches, losing three of their last four, but have beaten Liverpool and drawn with Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium so far this season.

Nonetheless, the Cherries are just six points clear of the bottom three, so really need to get back to winning ways fast to avoid being sucked into a relegation dog-fight.

However, Guardiola’s City will go in as heavy favourites, and with the build-up well underway to this evening’s game, we’ve analysed the THREE key battles which could determine the outcome at the Vitality Stadium tonight…

Josh King vs John Stones

Josh King bagged a brace in their 6-3 defeat at Everton last weekend, and with Callum Wilson out injured until the end of the season, King looks set to lead the line in the coming weeks.

The Norwegian international has scored six goals in 23 Premier League appearances this term, four of which have come in his last six league matches.

Clearly, the 25-year-old is in good form, and will certainly cause the City defence some issues this evening, most notably John Stones.

The former Everton defender is likely to start at centre-back either in a back three or back four, so it’ll be up to him to nullify the threat of King, and keep him quiet during the contest.

However, the England international’s tendency to overplay could haunt them as King is tenacious when upfront, as he pretty much defends from the front for the Cherries.

City have occasionally lost intensity in previous games, and King will look to benefit from that if it happens this evening.

Jack Wilshere vs Yaya Toure

This is all set up to be a fascinating battle in the centre of midfield, as Bournemouth’s Jack Wilshere will look to get the better of City’s Yaya Toure.

England international Wilshere is on loan at the Vitality Stadium for the whole season in a bid to get regular first team football under his belt, and has thus far done just that by making 19 Premier League appearances.

The 25-year-old also has two assists thus far, which is certainly less than he would have hoped, but his all round play has been much more beneficial to Bournemouth, given that he has controlled midfields and retains possession brilliantly.

However, he’ll have his work cut-out against Toure, who has been improving in the last few weeks to the point that he is keeping Fernandinho out of the midfield position.

The Ivorian has scored three goals in his last six appearances, and although he didn’t net against Swansea last time out, he ran the show from the midfield, giving the front players decent service, and also doing his defensive duties well.

Wilshere is sure to look to pounce on any ill-discipline from Toure, while the latter’s superior physicality will cause Wilshere some issues – nonetheless, it’ll be a fascinating tussle tonight.

Adam Smith vs Leroy Sane

Bournemouth have a few defensive concerns heading into this evening’s clash, and with how well City have looked going forward in recent weeks, they will need their best players on the pitch to combat it.

One of which is right-back Adam Smith, who missed the defeat at Everton last week and is a minor doubt for tonight’s game.

The 25-year-old has made 22 appearances in the Premier League this term, scoring once as well as laying on four assists to underline his credentials as a good, attacking right-back.

However, should he start this evening, he’ll come up against City’s ever-improving youngster Leroy Sane, who has been in fine form since the turn of the year.

The German international has scored twice in four games in 2017, and although he didn’t net against either West Ham or Swansea, he has looked dangerous down the left, and is clearly full of confidence given the faith Guardiola has placed in him.

The 21-year-old loves to take defenders on and, with Smith liking to get forward himself, as well as Bournemouth’s recent defensive struggles, he’ll relish the chance of taking them on this evening.