Manchester City travel to the Hawthorns as the Pep Guardiola managed outfit looks to cut short his worst ever record of 6 winless games. Things have turned around drastically for the Catalan after 10 consecutive wins on the trot as he has overseen his team drawing and losing 3 apiece in the last half a dozen matches. But their blistering start stills sees them perched on top of the league table, albeit on goal difference.
On the other hand, West Bromwich Albion have performed according to everyone’s expectations and Tony Pulis has stuck to his mundane but solidly effective brand of football, which will guarantee another season of Premier League football as a quintessential mid-table club of the league. A breed, which is fast dying.
The history stacks up against the Baggies where the two teams are concerned but the tremendous pressure City are under will likely see a tense affair at the Hawthorns tomorrow.
TEAM NEWS
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Jonny Evans will return from suspension for West Brom against Manchester City. The defender missed last week’s 2-1 defeat at Liverpool but Claudio Yacob is banned after collecting five yellow cards this season.
Saido Berahino is still unavailable for selection after the club ruled him overweight.
MANCHESTER CITY
Pablo Zabaleta (knock) and Kevin De Bruyne (calf) will be assessed before the matches although they are much better according to the gaffer. Kompany is likely to be rested in preparation for the match against Barcelona on Tuesday. Bacary Sagna (hamstring) remains out, while Fabian Delph is still a doubt due to a knock.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4-2-3-1)
FOSTER; DAWSON, MCAULEY, EVANS, NYOM; FLETCHER, BRUNT; PHILLIPS, CHADLI, MCCLEAN; RONDÓN
MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1)
BRAVO; MAFFEO, STONES, OTAMENDI, KOLAROV; FERNANDINHO; GUNDOGAN, SILVA; NOLITO, STERLING; AGUERO
KEY MEN
WEST BROMWICH ALBION – NACER CHADLI
The former Tottenham Hotspur man has flown off the blocks in his new club. Frustrated due to lack of opportunities at the Lane, the move has proved beneficial for all the parties involved. Chadli has already notched up 4 goals and 2 assists in his first 6 matches and West Brom’s 13th position is largely down to him. He will be expected to attack the brittle City defence and along with Rondon will look to nick a goal to aid the defensive resolve of the rest of the team.
MANCHESTER CITY – SERGIO AGUERO
All does not seem to be well between Pep and Kun but the need of the hour is goals and who better than the City legend to provide them. Pep has to pick Aguero as the striker and the Argentine will be hungry to get on the scoresheet after a minor blip. His lethal finishing has the ability to render West Brom’s resilience useless and he has to be marshaled well.
BETTING ODDS
WEST BROMWICH ALBION- 7/1
DRAW- 15/4
MANCHESTER CITY- 4/9
