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West Brom logo
Premier League
Dec 26, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

1-3

Ideye (87')
FT(HT: 0-3)
Fernando (8'), Toure (13' pen.), Silva (34')

Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester City

Sports Mole looks ahead to the Boxing Day clash between Premier League champions Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

Manchester City will be hoping to keep the pressure on league leaders Chelsea when they travel to West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day.

The defending champions are just three points behind the Blues after winning their last six matches in the Premier League, and have lost just once away from home so far this season.

Despite not having a senior striker available for selection at the weekend, Manuel Pellegrini's side still managed to wrap up a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

City's striking options are not expected to be any better for the trip to The Hawthorns as Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko remain sidelined until the New Year, while Stevan Jovetic is unlikely to be risked.

Pellegrini has said that Jovetic could feature against Burnley on Sunday, while Vincent Kompany could also be ready for that match, but Gael Clichy will return on Friday after missing the Palace clash with an injured instep.

Meanwhile, West Brom head into this match with just one win from their last seven outings, a run which has left them just two points outside the relegation zone.

Alan Irvine's men threw away a two-goal lead in their 3-2 defeat to Queens Park Rangers at the weekend, leaving them 15th in the table.

The manager has revealed that captain Chris Brunt should be fit to return after limping out of their draw with Hull City earlier this month, while Graham Dorrans is also expected to be included despite missing training with a tight calf.

However, Victor Anichebe is a doubt for the match with a groin injury, which has kept him of the training ground this week.

Scoring has been a problem for the Baggies in recent weeks, with the club finding the back of the net just five times in the eight matches since leading scorer Saido Berahino was last on target.

Man City won both of their matches against West Brom on the way to their league title last season.

West Bromwich Albion:

Form in Premier League: LLLDWL
Form in all competitions: LLLDWL

Possible starting lineup: Foster, Wisdom, McAuley, Lescott, Pocognoli, Morrison, Brunt, Dorrans, Sessegnon, Ideye, Berahino

Manchester City:

Form in Premier League: WWWWWW
Form in all competitions: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kolarov, Toure, Clichy, Navas, Lampard, Silva, Milner, Nasri

Sports Mole says: 0-2


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Frank Lampard of Manchester City celebrate Samir Nasri of Manchester City after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester City at The King Power Stadium on December 13, 2014
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