Manchester City vs West Bromwich Albion preview

By Ric Turner, Fri 08 April 2016 13:40


Manchester City vs West Bromwich Albion previewSilva misses out with ankle injury, but Toure returns to squad

Manchester City vs West Bromwich Albion

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 5.30pm, Saturday 9th April 2016

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Referee: Mike Jones Assistants: A Garratt, I Hussin Fourth Official: R East

Odds: City 4/11, Draw 4/1, West Brom 9/1

Tickets: Available via mcfc.co.uk

TV: Sky Sports 1

Manchester City

Manager: Manuel Pellegrini

Squad (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Clichy, Demichelis, Kolarov, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna, Zabaleta, De Bruyne, Delph, Fernandinho, Fernando, M Garcia, Nasri, Navas, Toure, Aguero, Bony, Iheanacho

Injured: Kompany, Sterling, Silva

Doubtful: Toure

Suspended: None

Form guide: WLDWLL

West Bromwich Albion

Manager: Tony Pulis

Squad (from): Foster, Myhill, Rose, Chester, Dawson, Evans, Gamboa, McAuley, O'Neil, Olsson, Pocognoli, Fletcher, Gardner, McClean, McManaman, Morrison, Pritchard, Sandro, Sessegnon, Yacob, Anichebe, Berahino, Lambert, Rondon.

Injured: Brunt

Doubtful: Morrison, McManaman

Suspended: None

Form guide: DLWDWW


Graphic supplied by Kick Off

David Silva misses out with the ankle problem that has blighted his season, and joins Vincent Kompany and Raheem Sterling on the injured list. There was better news for Manuel Pellegrini, however, as Yaya Toure was declared fit after missing the last two games with a knee injury. The Blues have a crunch quarter final against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, but Pellegrini refuted suggestions that his team might be distracted by such a big game.

“Everyone said last week at Bournemouth that we could be thinking about the Champions League but we did very well and that gave us trust for Wednesday - it will be exactly the same tomorrow,” he said.

“It’s a big game against West Brom at home - all the teams around us are playing against each other. Arsenal v West Ham and United v Spurs, so it’s more important than ever not to drop points at home.

“I’m sure tomorrow we must need to make good moments in attacking to create the space but also be careful as they have good players on the counter-attack. We must not think just about attack but to defend well too.

“We’ll see tomorrow which players have recovered best and which can repeat. Maybe we will make changes to refresh the team but all of the players who are 100% will play.”

City's last home game against West Brom ended in a 3-0 victory, with Wilfried Bony, Fernando and David Silva getting the goals. Overall City have won 65 of the 148 games played against West Brom, with 29 draws and 54 defeats.

Prediction: City 3 West Brom 1