Leroy Sane, so graceful as he chests down a cross-field pass and effortlessly breezes past three players. The cross he gets in is a hammer-drive, the power takes it through Asmir Begovic's gloves and, luckily for the Bournemouth keeper, on to relative safety.

A lively start then, that's what we like. Bournemouth showing they have come to play, which of course could mean they end up losing 6-1, knowing this Manchester City side.

They're looking very composed right now, Eddie Howe's team.

Simon Francis wins a corner for the Cherries. It's a smart short one between Ryan Fraser and Charlie Daniels - that's a lovely little backheel into the rapid Scottish winger, scampering past him and into space.

Callum Wilson makes a connection but can't divert on target.

Image source, PA

Twenty-five seconds in and already Asmir Begovic is having to scramble and gather a low zipping cross from Leroy Sane. And that came from Bournemouth's possession.

Gabriel Jesus was lurking in the middle.

We are under way at the Etihad - Bournemouth get us started.

Image source, Reuters

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

The bad news for Bournemouth now we know who is lining up at the Etihad is that Raheem Sterling is in the City team - because to say Cherries boss Eddie Howe must be sick of the sight of him is something of an understatement.

Sterling bagged two goals against the south coast side in a League Cup tie while playing for Liverpool in December 2014 but it is his Premier League record against them for City that gives him the chance to make history today.

He scored his first career hat-trick in the first-half of a 5-1 win for City in October 2015, notched home and away in 2016-17, nicked a 97th-minute winner against them in August 2017 and also found the target again against them last December.

If he scores today, the England winger will become the first player in Premier League history to score in each of his first six games against a particular club.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

A few players rested today as City play the first of three games in a week that ends with a trip to Chelsea.

Perhaps it is no surprise Raheem Sterling is not one of those to be rested by manager Pep Guardiola.

Sterling has a phenomenal record against Bournemouth, scoring nine times in six games against the Cherries.

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender and BBC football expert

Bournemouth have lost three games on the bounce and a trip to Etihad Stadium is the last thing you need when you are trying to find some form.

At least it will be out of the way after this weekend, though. That is the way a lot of teams will view this fixture because they will not expect to get anything out of it.

Prediction: 3-0

Lawro's full predictions v actor Dolph Lundgren

Paul Ince
Former England midfielder on Final Score

Bournemouth have got a chance, their record away is not great but they have started the season well. But this is a bonus game for them – when you play a game you’re not expected to win, sometimes it goes well.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

They have trekked 250 miles to get here from the south coast so you might think Bournemouth fans will be pleased to see the Etihad today, even if the dank Manchester weather is not exactly welcoming?

Er, probably not actually, based on past visits anyway. The Cherries have never beaten the Blues in a competitive match and, since being promoted to the Premier League in 2015, they have been here three times and lost three times, shipping at least four goals on each occasion and conceding a total of 13. Ouch.

Is there any more bad news? Yes. City are averaging 3.86 goals a game at home in the league this season so are in the form to maintain that kind of average. You would be a brave man to back Bournemouth to leave with a clean sheet.

Still, there's a nice tree outside the ground if the visitors need some Christmas cheer.

Image source, BBC Sport

Steve Bower
Match of the Day commentator at the Etihad Stadium

Bruno Genesio may have given all coaches a small ray of hope midweek, with Lyon's tactics helping them produce another impressive Champions League display against Manchester City.

It's only a tiny 'might' though, and Eddie Howe won't be feeling any more comfortable ahead of City's return to domestic action.

The Bournemouth boss has to prepare to face a team that has scored 40 goals already after 13 games and conceded only once from open play. Ominously, the champions now have no significant European distractions until February.

Despite three successive defeats, Bournemouth have had a very encouraging campaign so far and their season won't be defined by the ultimate Premier League test.

Russell Boorman: Dear Pep. In the future, please think of fantasy football managers before deciding on your team. Thanks very much

LM: Thanks Pep. Ruined my fantasy captain choice

Image source, BBC Sport

Manchester City make five changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Lyon in the Champions League on Tuesday.

In comes Danilo for Kyle Walker at right-back, Nicolas Otamendi replaces John Stones in defence, and out go David Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Sergio Aguero further up the pitch. Those three are replaced by Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus, who all return from minor injuries.

Man City XI: Ederson, Danilo, Otamendi, Laporte, Zinchenko, Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Sane.

Subs: Walker, Kompany, Delph, Silva, Mahrez, Foden, Muric.

Image source, BBC Sport

Bournemouth make three changes to the side that lost 2-1 at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

In come Andrew Surman, Lewis Cook and Tyrone Mings as Dan Gosling, David Brooks and the suspended Jefferson Lerma drop out.

Bournemouth XI: Begovic, Francis, Steve Cook, Ake, Mings, Daniels, King, Surman, Lewis Cook, Fraser, Wilson.

Subs: Boruc, Gosling, Mousset, Defoe, Stanislas, Brooks, Rico.

Image source, Reuters

There is no Sergio Aguero in the Manchester City squad today - that noise you can hear is Fantasy Football heartbreak across the lands.

Good news for Bournemouth? They've got Gabriel Jesus to deal with instead.