On trying to stop Manchester City's record-breaking winning run...

We have to believe, I always maintain that and we believe we can. Saying that it will be incredibly difficult.

We will need to be defensively very good considering the attacking players they have, but as importantly we will need a bit of luck. In recent games we’ve played well but not always got what we deserved. That includes the game at Chelsea on Wednesday night.

On previous matches with City...

Both times we’ve been there they have been very strong on the day. The home game here this season was the closest we’ve got to them and we took an early lead through an outstanding goal – maybe we’ll need something like that again, but we take confidence from that performance.

The style of football they have, the players they have and the manager. They’re playing with extreme confidence at the moment and all credit to them for the way they are doing.

You need to work out a defensive strategy to nullify their threats but one which also leaves you with an attacking plan. We'll think long and hard before we finalise our game plan.

On the Cherries' current league position... 

We are concerned, when you’re in the Premier League and not getting points it’s a tough and brutal league, there’s no breather from it.

The key is that we stay united and focused, this run will change and once it does we have confidence that we have a really good team and can push on.

How to take on the league leaders...

We look at every game in recent times to try and look for things that teams have done and what has worked, then you have to relate that back to your team and the strengths you have.

Some teams have run them very close and Man City have had to dig deep at times, that’s what gives us belief that we can go there and get a result.

If you’re watched us away from home recently, we don’t look like a team that’s struggling at the wrong end of the table. We’ve been defensively organised and got men into the box in the attacking sense.

We’ve always looked at the bigger challenges as being better for us, and the underdog tag I think suits us. We don’t have too much pressure on us and we can go and be ourselves without the burden of the expectancy in terms of getting a result.

AFC Bournemouth travel to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to face current Premier League table-toppers Manchester City. 

Ahead of the game, here are five points to consider as we go into the weekend... 

Unbeaten start…

Manchester City have had an excellent opening half of the season, having not lost at all in the Premier League to date.

Having come through what will arguably be their toughest test of the campaign, beating Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this month, Pep Guardiola’s boys look unstoppable, with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus firing on all cylinders.

Carabao Cup progress…

Like the Cherries, City also played in the week’s Carabao Cup quarter-finals as they came up against Leicester City. A last minute Foxes goal saw the game go to extra-time, following a 1-1 scoreline at the end of 90 minutes.

However, it wasn’t to be for Claude Puel’s side as they lost out on penalties to the current Premier League table-toppers, who netted a set of flawless spot-kicks.

Earlier this season…

The Cherries welcomed Manchester City to Vitality Stadium for what was the club’s third Premier League game of the 2017/18 campaign.

An entertaining game saw Eddie Howe’s side take the lead 13 minutes in, after Charlie Daniels hit a goal-of-the-season contender from the left. Less than ten minutes later, however, the former champions bounced back with a goal from Gabriel Jesus.

With the clock ticking down, the Cherries looked to have secured a point, but in the 97^th minute Raheem Sterling bundled the ball home from close range to give City all three points. A close game, but the Cherries will want their revenge on Saturday!  

The boss…

After what was considered a disappointing opening year at City, Pep Guardiola hasn’t looked back since August. The club are not only sat nine points above anyone else in the domestic league, but they also finished top of their Champions League group to progress to the knock-out stages.

With such experience, having managed European giants Barcelona and Bayern Munich, there’s no doubt that the Spaniard is the right man to lead the Citizens forward.

One to watch…

City have an abundance of players who could be picked out, but Kevin De Bruyne has been consistent in midfield and popped up with some crucial winners for Pep Guardiola’s boys.

In his 18 top flight appearances this season, the Belgian has not only assisted eight from the centre of midfield, but also scored six to ensure his side remain unbeaten.

Therefore, he’ll certainly be a handful come Saturday and the Cherries will need to be at their best to keep him at bay.   

Mike Jones will be the man in the middle as the Cherries travel to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The fixture will be the first time that the 49-year-old has refereed Eddie Howe’s side this season, however it is the second that he has officiated a City game, taking charge of their 3-2 win over West Brom in October.

So far this season, Jones has taken charge of seven top flight games this season, handing out 23 yellow cards, no red cards and awarding just one penalty.

Similarly, in his four Championship games officiated this season, he has handed out 16 yellow cards but given no spot kicks.

On Saturday, Jones will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Derek Eaton, with Mike Dean the fourth official.