Manchester City host West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, knowing that a win would take them one step closer to finishing in this season’s top four. The visitors meanwhile lost to Chelsea 1-0 at the Hawthorns on Friday night, as the Blues won this year’s title.
City’s final two games of the season see them host WBA on Tuesday before travelling to Watford on Sunday. Their match last weekend saw them beat Leicester 2-1, with goals coming from David Silva and Gabriel Jesus. Pep Guardiola’s side are now unbeaten in six games, winning four of these and they’re three points ahead of Arsenal in fifth place. This recent run of form though, masks what can only be described as a disappointing season for City and their owners. When Guardiola arrived last summer, it was widely predicted that City would sweep all aside and claim the Premier League title. This prediction was justified after they won their first ten games, but their run ended with defeat to Tottenham and they haven’t really recovered since.
West Brom on the other hand have had an outstanding season under Tony Pulis and they currently lie in eighth place. Their main problem has been that since beating Arsenal 3-1 in the middle of March, they’ve failed to pick up a win since and they’ve lost five of their last six games. Many would have expected them to roll over against Chelsea on Friday, but they stayed resolute and they were almost unlucky in the way that the goal was conceded.
Manchester City vs. West Bromwich Albion Predictions
This should be an easy victory for Manchester City. West Brom downed tools months ago and Pep Guardiola’s side could win by a big margin if they score an early goal.
Manchester City vs. West Bromwich Albion Betting Tips
Head to Head
- Manchester City have won each of their last 10 Premier League fixtures against West Bromwich Albion, their second longest winning run against an opponent (12 vs. Newcastle, 2009-2015).
- By contrast, the only team West Brom have lost more successive Premier League games to are Chelsea (11, 2002-2011).
- Tony Pulis has won one of his 16 Premier League games against Man City (D4 L11), doing so with Stoke in January 2009.
- Sergio Aguero has scored four goals and assisted another two in his four previous home Premier League games against West Brom.
- Gabriel Jesus has been directly involved in seven goals in six Premier League starts (scoring five and assisting two).
- The Brazilian has scored five times from seven shots on target in the Premier League for City.
- Since their 3-1 victory over Arsenal on 18th March, the Baggies have yet to record another victory, failing to score in six of the seven games since (D2 L5).
- Man City have won seven and lost none of their last 11 Premier League matches at the Etihad Stadium, they last went 12 unbeaten on home soil in December 2012 (37-game run).
- Kevin de Bruyne has provided 15 assists in the Premier League this season, the joint-most by a Manchester City player in a single season (also David Silva in 2011/12).
Manchester City Team News
Claudio Bravo and Ilkay Gundogan are the only absentees for Manchester City.
Possible Man City Starting XI: Willy Caballero, Bacary Sagna, John Stones, Vincent Kompany, Gael Clichy, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus
West Bromwich Albion Team News
Gareth McAuley is a minor doubt for this clash, but Matt Phillips is expected to miss out altogether.
Possible West Bromwich Albion Starting XI: Ben Foster, Craig Dawson, Marc Wilson, Jonny Evans, Allan Nyom, Darren Fletcher, Chris Brunt, Jake Livermore, Sam Field, Nacer Chadli, Salomon Rondon