West Bromwich Albion FC
Manchester City FC
Manchester City FC
Manchester City meet West Brom for the chance to go top of the league
Manchester City to win 3-0
Manchester City avoided an embarrassing defeat in the FA Cup at the weekend by eventually overcoming a determined Cheltenham side who scored first before City put three past them.
The Citizens have, in truth, been excellent in all competitions recently, and could win their 6th league match on the bounce against the team with the worst defensive record in the league this season.
The attackers have been in good spirits lately, but it remains their defensive strength which this run of form is based off – they conceded only their first goal in over eight hours of football at the weekend.
On the other hand, West Brom continue to float adrift of safety near the foot of the table. Despite bringing in a new manager, just a solitary win has followed in that time and their chances of producing anything special against arguably the most in-form team in the country is slim.
Form Guide (all comps): LLLWL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Karlan Grant and Matty Phillips should be ready to return
Win over Wolves recently gives them something to build on
Reasons to be fearful:
Winless in their previous 18 matches against City
Just one win from last nine matches
Sam Allardyce has this week received praised from his opposite number, Pep Guardiola, who commented on his ability to save clubs from almost certain relegation.
This has been true in the past, but there appears little sign of a comeback from West Brom right now, with the club facing defeat in his first four home matches in charge.
That fact that Kevin De Bruyne will be missing for City today will give them little hope – they have a variety of top-class players who can fit in and do a good job.
West Brom must hope that they can keep things tight at the back and spring a surprise going forward.
Star Man – Costa Pereira
Has scored three goals in his last two league matches, helping The Baggies to a win over Wolves in the process.
Form Guide (all comps): WWWWW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Have won 10 matches on the bounce in all competitions
Can go top for the first time this season, although perhaps temporarily
Reasons to be fearful:
Kevin De Bruyne will be out for over a month
West Brom took a point from Liverpool last month
Manchester City are on such a run of good form, that many are talking up their chances for winning the league this season.
They have shaken off the cobwebs from earlier in the campaign and now look like arguably the team best-placed to take the title in May. Their close rivals United, top of the table, will of course have a say in that matter.
City will have to do without De Bruyne in midfield, one of their most influential players, who will miss the next five or six weeks through injury.
Guardiola will have prepared his players for the defensive nature of West Brom and they will need to be patient in order to break them down.
Star Man – Phil Foden
Has more goals already this season than he managed the whole of the last campaign.
Manchester City will dominate possession – likely over 70%
Hard to see how West Brom will score
City likely to rotate one or two players
Man City are well versed at sitting on top of the Premier League and are heavy favourites to be in that position at the end of this one. Manchester United play 24 hours later and could regain the top spot with a win of their own.
Guardiola will be thinking just one step at a time, of course.
West Brom will be up for this one – playing a top side often gets the best out of those battling relegation, but it’s unlikely to change the result here.
Manchester City to win 3-0
