Tuesday, April 10, 2012

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11.04. (Wed) 20:45 Manchester City - West Brom

EPL:David Pizarro - Gareth Barry, Arsenal v Manchester City
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PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY

HartRichards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy
Barry, De Jong
  Nasri, Silva, JohnsonAguero
WEST BROM

FosterJones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgwell
Dorrans, Mulumbu, Scharner,Andrews, Brunt
Odemwingie

Roberto Mancini will be without controversial striker Mario Balotelli after he received a red card in City’s loss to Arsenal on Sunday. Yaya Toure may also be unavailable as he was substituted in the first half against the Gunners with a knee injury. However, David Silva could be set to return to the fold following his absence due to a knee injury.

Roy Hodgson is likely to stick with the same team which beat Blackburn at the weekend but could opt to go with five in midfield against City, recalling Paul Scharner in place of Saturday’s goal scorer Marc Antoine-Fortune. Jerome Thomas could be fit to return although, due to the performance of Chris Brunt and Graham Dorrans at the weekend, Hodgson may opt to leave him on the bench.
DID YOU KNOW?

  • In 64 meetings between the sides in Manchester, City have won 38 times whilst West Brom have recorded victory 16 times and there have been 10 draws. 
  • The Baggies last win when playing away at City came in 2003 when they ran out 2-1 victors.
  • Roberto Mancini’s side are unbeaten in their last four games against the Midlands outfit.
  • City have dropped just two points at home all season, as they drew 3-3 with Sunderland last time out at the Etihad.
  • West Brom have the best away record outside of the top six, taking 22 points from their 16 away games so far this campaign.
  • City have won just one of their last five Premier League matches.
  • Peter Odemwingie has gone six games without scoring, his second-leanest spell of the season.
  • Sergio Aguero (pictured right) has only scored two goals from open play in 2012. He has scored four goals in total, though two were penalties.
Prediction
City have been out of sorts recently and all but surrendered the title to Manchester United last weekend as the gap at the top stretched to eight points. However, their home form has been outstanding this season so expect them to extend that against the Baggies.
Editor's Prediction
Manchester City 3-0 West Brom