Manchester City vs West Bromwich Albion preview, team news, line-ups and prediction

Manchester City will be aiming to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they host West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium this evening.

The Cityzens recently played out a boring 0-0 draw against Manchester United in the derby where both teams struggled to create any clear-cut chances.

The result ended their two-match winning streak in the top-flight and that has dropped them to ninth on the table. Still, they are only six points adrift of league leaders Tottenham Hotspur with the game in hand.

They are scheduled to host the Baggies this evening. Slaven Bilic’s side have experienced a difficult return to the top tier and they have accumulated just six points and are 19th in the standings.

Pep Guardiola’s side are the betting favourites with https://www.onlinecasinosnoop.com/ and other bookmakers for the encounter as they possess a dominant record against the Baggies. The club have won each of the previous 13 league matches against the West Midlands outfit.

Key Stats:

Over the past decade, the Cityzens have a sensational Premier League record against the Baggies and they have accumulated 46 points from a possible 48.

The Baggies previously picked up a point with a goalless draw in December 2011. They have not beaten the Cityzens in any competition since the 2010 League Cup third round.

In the Premier League, the Cityzens have not been on the losing side against the Baggies since December 2008. That constitutes 17 top-flight matches where they have won 16.

Sergio Aguero has enjoyed playing against the visitors. In his previous 11 meetings against them, he has registered a sublime tally of eight goals and six assists.

Team News:

Manchester City:

Eric Garcia (leg) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (hip) have been ruled out with injuries sustained earlier this month. However, Sergio Aguero could make his first Premier League appearance since October.

The Argentine scored in a cameo appearance against Marseille in the Champions League after overcoming a hamstring problem, but he was ruled out for the derby due to illness. He could make another appearance off the bench as he steps up his fitness.

West Bromwich Albion:

The visitors will be missing some key players for the encounter. Matheus Pereira is still suspended following his red card for violent conduct during the 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace earlier this month.

Elsewhere, centre-back Kyle Bartley is still nursing a calf problem. Sam Field (knee), Conor Townsend (knee)and Hal Robson-Kanu (arm) are also out of contention for the midweek game.

Predicted Line-ups:

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy; Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan; Riyad Mahrez, Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling; Gabriel Jesus

West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2): Sam Johnstone; Semi Ajayi, Branislav Ivanovic, Dara O’Shea; Darnell Furlong, Conor Gallagher, Romaine Sawyers, Filip Krovinovic, Matt Philips; Charlie Austin, Karlan Grant

Predicted Score:

The Cityzens will be up against a side which possess the worst defensive record in the league. They should be fancied to register a 14th straight league win over them and anything other than that would come as a surprise result.

Manchester City 4-0 West Bromwich Albion

Stats from 11v11.com and Premierinjuries.com