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Man City should 'definitely' play Bournemouth later in week, Guardiola insists

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Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City's Premier League game against Bournemouth should "definitely" be played later in the week, due to their FA Cup final commitments.

The Citizens will appear in their third successive FA Cup showpiece when they face Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday, and are looking to regain the trophy having lost out to Manchester United 12 months ago.

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Guardiola's side then switch their focus back to the Premier League three days later, as they welcome Europa Conference League-chasing Bournemouth to the Etihad Stadium.

City will be looking to win their game in hand and reclaim their place in the top five, having dropped out following victories for Chelsea and Aston Villa on Friday over Manchester United and Tottenham respectively.

The match was rescheduled for Tuesday to avoid a clash with the all-English Europa League final showdown between United and Spurs the following day.

Yet, Guardiola cannot understand why there was not a greater willingness to push his side's fixture back in the same way the Red Devils' and Tottenham's games were brought forward two days.

"Definitely," the Spaniard replied when asked if he would have preferred to play Bournemouth on Wednesday or Thursday next week.

"Tottenham play against Aston Villa on Friday [because of] the Europa League final, yes? Good decision. Honestly, I am not making irony or being sarcastic, the Premier League made a good decision, very good.

"We have been fighting against this situation for nine years - every single season. Nothing [happens]. [We are told] 'That is the deal, go'.

"We are going to play Tuesday night against an intense, physical, direct and powerful team in the Premier League like Bournemouth, who are playing to qualify for the Europa Conference League. We have to deal with that.

"What I am saying, they are playing Aston Villa-Tottenham on a Friday night. That is what they should do when it is possible. It doesn't change much for us playing a Tuesday or Wednesday, but they decide, and we will play here on Tuesday with our people."

Fixture

competition-logo
English Premier League
Gameweek 15 of 38
Saturday, 06 Dec
08:30 PM
Aston Villa-team-logo Aston Villa
Arsenal-team-logo Arsenal
11:00 PM
Everton-team-logo Everton
Nottingham Forest-team-logo Nottingham Forest
11:00 PM
Manchester City-team-logo Manchester City
Sunderland-team-logo Sunderland
11:00 PM
Bournemouth AFC-team-logo Bournemouth AFC
Chelsea-team-logo Chelsea
11:00 PM
Newcastle United-team-logo Newcastle United
Burnley-team-logo Burnley
11:00 PM
Tottenham Hotspur-team-logo Tottenham Hotspur
Brentford-team-logo Brentford
Sunday, 07 Dec
01:30 AM
Leeds United-team-logo Leeds United
Liverpool-team-logo Liverpool
10:00 PM
Brighton Hove Albion-team-logo Brighton Hove Albion
West Ham United-team-logo West Ham United
Monday, 08 Dec
12:30 AM
Fulham-team-logo Fulham
Crystal Palace-team-logo Crystal Palace
Tuesday, 09 Dec
04:00 AM
Wolverhampton Wanderers-team-logo Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manchester United-team-logo Manchester United

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