{"id":1721,"date":"2016-10-28T14:56:06","date_gmt":"2016-10-28T18:56:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=1721"},"modified":"2016-10-28T14:56:06","modified_gmt":"2016-10-28T18:56:06","slug":"premier-league-preview-west-brom-vs-manchester-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2016\/10\/28\/premier-league-preview-west-brom-vs-manchester-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Premier League Preview: West Brom vs Manchester City"},"content":{"rendered":"

Date: Saturday, 29th<\/sup> October 2016<\/p>\n

Time: 15.00 GMT<\/p>\n

Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich<\/p>\n

The Hawthorns<\/strong> sees Premier League<\/strong> table toppers Manchester City<\/strong> face West Bromwich Albion<\/strong> on Saturday. Neither side go into this fixture in great form and will both be hoping to reignite their season.<\/p>\n

Last Season<\/p>\n

The two sides met on the opening day of last season, with City inflicting a resounding 3-0 home defeat on the Baggies<\/strong>. The return fixture at the Etihad Stadium<\/strong> in April was a much tighter affair. City overcame an early West Brom<\/strong> goal to win 2-1.<\/p>\n

Current Form<\/p>\n

Both West Brom and City have both struggled in recent weeks. Neither side has registered a victory in October. Since beating West Ham<\/strong> on September 17th<\/sup>, the Baggies have drawn three successive games 1-1 and lost to Liverpool<\/strong>. They are currently in 13th<\/sup> place in the table.<\/p>\n

Pep Guardiola<\/strong>\u2019s men last tasted victory the following week, away to Swansea City<\/strong>. They have since lost to Tottenham<\/strong>, Barcelona<\/strong> and Manchester United<\/strong> in three different competitions. This was complimented by successive draws at home to Everton<\/strong> and Southampton<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Team News \u2013 WBA<\/p>\n

West Brom have one player serving, and one returning from, suspension. Jonny Evans<\/strong> was banned for the defeat at Anfield<\/strong> last weekend, and is expected to start. Argentine<\/strong> midfielder Claudio Yacob<\/strong> picked up his fifth booking of the season in that game, and is suspended.<\/p>\n

Striker Saido Berahino<\/strong> will still not be considered for selection against City. He has been deemed overweight by manager Tony Pulis<\/strong>. Venezuelan<\/strong> striker Salom\u00f3n Rond\u00f3n<\/strong> will be expected to lead the attack. Ireland<\/strong> international winger James McLean<\/strong> has been passed fit after suffering a gashed leg against Liverpool.<\/p>\n

Likely Line-Up: Foster, Dawson, Evans, McAuley, Nyom, Phillips, Morrison, Fletcher, Chadli, McLean, Rond\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Team News \u2013 Manchester City<\/p>\n

Guardiola is still facing problems at right back. Bacary Sagna<\/strong> is definitely out, and Pablo Zabaleta <\/strong>faces a late fitness test on a foot injury. Spanish<\/strong> teenager Pablo Maffeo<\/strong> deputised in the League Cup<\/strong> defeat at Old Trafford<\/strong>, and won many admirers. If Zabaleta is unavailable, he could well feature again.<\/p>\n

Another issue for the manager is whether to play captain Vincent Kompany<\/strong>. Guardiola has been trying to manage his fitness all season, and started him in the last two games. His inclusion could take John Stones<\/strong> out of the firing line. The England<\/strong> defender has faced severe criticism following several mistakes that have cost his side in recent weeks.<\/p>\n

Kevin De Bruyne<\/strong> is another whose fitness is uncertain. The Belgian<\/strong> suffered a calf injury in the draw with Southampton last weekend. Guardiola will be hoping he is declared fit for selection. Sergio Ag\u00fcero<\/strong> was benched for the United game, but should return upfront on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Likely Line-up: Bravo, Maffeo, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy, San\u00e9, G\u00fcndogan, Fernandinho, Sterling, Silva, Ag\u00fcero.<\/p>\n

Final Thought<\/p>\n

West Bromwich Albion, like their opponents, haven\u2019t won in over a month. The fact that Tony Pulis signed a one year contract extension<\/a> earlier this week suggests his job is safe. Despite no win in six games, Manchester City top the Premier League table on goal difference. If they want to stay there, however, Guardiola will need to return to winning ways. Several teams lie in wait to take their place if they slip up.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n