Saturday, February 5
Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion
City of Manchester Stadium
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT
TV: Highlights, BBC1 Match of the Day.
Manchester City (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Hart; Boateng, K Toure, Lescott, Kolarov; De Jong, Barry; Milner, Y Toure, Tévez; Dzeko.
WBA (Possible, 4-1-4-1): Myhill; Jara, Scharner, Olsson, Cech; Mulumbu; Vela, Cox, Brunt Thomas; Odemwingie.
Referee: Martin Atkinson. Matches: 18. R8 Y62.
Tale of the game
On Wednesday, City were held to a 2-2 draw at Birmingham meaning that they have won just one of their last four Premier League games and taking just five points from a possible 12.
That will concern Roberto Mancini, whose side led twice before conceding a penalty from which Birmingham’s Craig Gardner earned his team a point.
Yaya Toure was absent at St Andrew’s with flu and he will undergo a test ahead of the visit of Albion.
They are still without Mario Balotelli, who last played in December when he scored a hat-trick against Aston Villa in December.
Michael Johnson is also absent with a knee problem.
Albion, meanwhile, stole a valuable point on Tuesday thanks to a 2-2 draw with fellow relegation rivals Wigan.
Carlos Vela, the Mexican forward signed from Arsenal on loan, made his debut and could continue as Albion look for their first win at City since February 2003.
In November Mario Balotelli scored twice at the Hawthorns in seven first half minutes but failed to finish the game after seeing red in the second half.
Later in the game, which City won 2-0, Albion had Youssuf Mulumbu dismissed.
Already this season these teams have met twice; prior to the league meetings City lost 2-1 at the Hawthorns in the Carling Cup with Albion coming from behind to steal a victory.
Albion test Graham Dorrans (ankle).
This season: WBA 0 City 2.
Last season: WBA 2 City 1, City 4 WBA 2.
Stat of the game: In nine Premier League meetings between these teams there have been five red cards.
Betting tip: City should win; try another 2-0 win at 13-2.
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