West Brom v MAN CITY – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
9 Aug
The new season is upon us! I’ll leave it until the end of the transfer window before discussing how our summer has panned out (although it is not looking entirely positive at the moment), but there is always fresh excitement at the start of a campaign.
None of City’s stars who featured in the Copa America over the summer are expected to start at the Hawthorns on Monday night, and with a couple of other injuries there may be an opportunity or two for a younger player.
Bacary Sagna is likely to be the main beneficiary of Pablo Zabaleta’s busy schedule, with Vincent Kompany partnered by Eliaquim Mangala at the heart of the back four. Jason Denayer waits patiently on the bench, having impressed in pre-season. Gael Clichy is on the sidelines, so Aleks Kolarov will occupy the left-back berth.
Fabian Delph and Fernandinho are both out, meaning Fernando should start alongside Yaya Touré, with Jesus Navas and Samir Nasri battling it out for one place. Raheem Sterling has looked excellent in a blue shirt so far, and will no doubt start from the left but have the freedom to drift around and link up with David Silva to hopefully devastating effect. Wilfried Bony should see off competition from Kelechi Iheanacho to be named up front. City’s new number ten, Sergio Aguero, will be looking to feature from the bench.
Here is the side Manuel Pellegrini could select:
Referee: Mike Dean.
Prediction: West Brom 1 – 1 MAN CITY – It’s always tricky to assess the opening fixture of the season. West Brom will be pumped up and eager to start quickly, whilst City have been lethargic and sloppy at times over the past few weeks, and are missing a few key players. I’ll back a draw, with goals from Saido Berahino and Raheem Sterling.
Raheem Sterling to score the opening goal of the game looks incredibly tempting at 7/1.
I actually think Sergio will play some part Monday, my score, WBA 1 City 3. I DO hope thought that Deyenar plays and NOT Managala
1-0 West brom….just got a feeling. Man city have done us over quite a few times yet we usually do very well against the top 6 (Ask Man U and Chelsea)….time to add another I think.
Who knows…after watching the gooners today anything can happen Boingy lol
Good to read from you View after so long a time at the sidelines. Will just suffice to say that you have been missed. My say;
1. The summer transfers have not been exciting. Like you, i will have my say @ the end of the summer transfer period.
2, Mangala has been abysmal. Dunno if he is injecting the lethargy to Vincent Kompany. Will be glad if someone takes his place.
3. Anyway, i am confident of a City win. My prediction: 3-1.
Kompany at this moment in time is a liability at Centre Back and Mangala is much better with another defensive partner! If I were the coach I’d line up like this;
Hart
Sagna Denayer Mangala Kolarov
Kompany Toure
Navas Silva Sterling
Iheanacho
Kompany just doesn’t cut it at Centre back anymore but I think he could be a great holding midfielder! Would allow Toure more freedom to push on while being able to pull the strings himself as he tries to do from the back!
I know this sounds negative but if the author thinks we can’t beat West Brom away he/she doesn’t think we can win the league.
I like your point about Kompany playing in mid-field. I remember him playing against Hamburg in midfield, in UEFA Cup, and he was awesome. He played there with De-Jong.
View from a Blue team looks weak. I hope it isn’t the team we play, or West Brom will pack the midfield and bully us. This team will lie down and we’ll get beat
Kompany is great mangala will only improve looks strong they need time to settle and sagna is the weak link dont rate him at all he should of gone to villa not richards
The biggest season of vk career coming up, can he get it together? I’m feeling very negative about him to be honest, I’m delighted that we have raheem, he will do great things for us; I think we are badly in need of a solid left back.I think samir has had his chance…. What about isco? A lot cheaper than kdb, good luck to Edin,he could be a massive pain in the hole but I’m very grateful for the goals he scored for us. My favorite Edin goal is definitely the header against Everton, I never tire of watching that beauty.
Yes I like VK at midfield. Think Sagna can be great. with that line up, bet me, will get 2 frm Sterling set by Kelachi and silva, 1 from Kelachi and last one from sub, Bony. then go home smiling. take grip of top position. But Manuel should learn, we have enough of attack. we need defenders!!