Eddie Howe has challenged his Bournemouth team to create history by upsetting the odds against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The Cherries have a woeful Premier League record against the champions, losing all six of their matches, conceding 21 goals and scoring only twice. They have tasted defeat in their last three matches at the Etihad – 4-0, 4-0 and 5-1.
But Howe, whose team are an impressive eighth in the division in their fourth consecutive season in the top flight, has called on the Cherries to put those results behind them.
"It isn't damage limitation for us, but it is an opportunity to create a historic moment for the football club and to do our best in the game," he said.
"The message to the players is that they have to deliver their maximum performance ever in the Premier League in order to do that, so that is the challenge I am going to lay down to them.
"Our record doesn't sound great but I think that is for most teams going to Manchester City in recent seasons. They are the team that we have struggled against the most, along with Tottenham, and they have been really difficult for us.
"But every time we have gone there we have really grown and learnt from the experiences, although they have been painful."
Bournemouth will face Pep Guardiola's side following three successive defeats against Manchester United, Newcastle, and last weekend to Arsenal after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a second-half winner.
City meanwhile have been in rampant form, winning their last five league matches and scoring 19 times.
But Bournemouth have never lost on the road to the reigning Premier League champions, beating Chelsea twice at Stamford Bridge and drawing with Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
And Howe, who could be without midfielder Dan Gosling after he suffered a minor knee injury against Arsenal, added: "You have to believe you can win because if you don't, in my mind, there is no point in turning up.
"From watching City play, I would say they have gone on again this year and credit to the manager and the players for that. They are scoring goals in huge numbers, and defensively they have looked more solid than ever.
"But in terms of performances and results, we are in our best shape, so let's hope we can fully justify that with our performance."
