Manchester City will be hoping to climb to the top of the Premier League table when they travel to The Hawthorns to take on West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening.
Pep Guardiola's men recently overcame Cheltenham Town 3-1 in the FA Cup, while the Baggies have had a week to recover from their 2-1 defeat to West Ham United.
Match preview
© Reuters
Sam Allardyce and West Brom were on cloud nine after claiming the Black Country bragging rights over Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the relegation-threatened hosts were given a harsh reality check by West Ham last week.
Matheus Pereira had initially levelled proceedings after Jarrod Bowen's opener, but a spectacular winner from the resurgent Michail Antonio condemned West Brom to yet another defeat - their 12th of the Premier League season.
Only Sheffield United have lost more games than the Baggies this season, and the Blades are the one team whom West Brom have managed to beat on home turf this season, with the threat of relegation looming unless Allardyce can do what he does best.
Since the start of December, West Brom have been put to the sword at home by Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Arsenal - conceding 17 and scoring just one goal in that dreadful run.
The Baggies' home goal difference of -19 is by far the worst in the division, and unless Allardyce's rearguard can display a new-found defensive resolve, another thrashing at the hands of a ruthless City outfit could be on the cards.
© Reuters
Cheltenham boss Michael Duff called on his side to produce "the biggest upset in cup history" over Man City on Saturday, and the League Two outfit were only 10 minutes away from doing just that following Alfie May's opener in the FA Cup.
However, the quality of Guardiola's attacking crop soon shone through as Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres spared the visitors' blushes in an eventual 3-1 win for the seemingly unstoppable Citizens.
Saturday's triumph represented City's 10th win on the bounce in all competitions - during which time they have notched up 25 goals and conceded just three - and a seventh top-flight win on the trot would propel City to the top of the pile before Manchester United face Sheffield United 24 hours later.
While City's winning run is certainly nothing to be sniffed at, a good chunk of their triumphs have come on home soil, and Guardiola has witnessed his side prevail in just three of their last seven Premier League matches on unfamiliar territory.
However, Guardiola's men have enjoyed unprecedented success at West Brom in recent years and are on a six-game league winning streak at The Hawthorns - their best-ever winning run away from home against another top-flight team.
However, West Brom did manage to hold Guardiola's men to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season, but even that impressive result could not save Slaven Bilic's job in the dugout.
West Bromwich Albion Premier League form: LDLLWL
West Bromwich Albion form (all competitions): DLLLWL
Manchester City Premier League form: WWWWWW
Manchester City form (all competitions): WWWWWW
Team News
© Reuters
West Brom's first-choice goalkeeper Sam Johnstone recovered from coronavirus in time to start against West Ham, and Matt Phillips is also back in the fold after fighting off the disease.
Karlan Grant is also ready to make his return, but Grady Diangana and Conor Townsend are injured for the hosts, who are expected to name a near identical XI from their narrow defeat to West Ham.
Robert Snodgrass is expected to return following his controversial omission from the squad to face the Hammers, with a supposed agreement in place between the two clubs preventing him from playing against his former employers.
Meanwhile, City will have to make do without Kevin De Bruyne for at least the next four weeks with a hamstring injury, while Sergio Aguero just cannot catch a break after returning a positive coronavirus test.
Kyle Walker missed out against Cheltenham after taking a kick to the hips but could be in contention for this game, although Nathan Ake remains sidelined through injury.
Ederson, John Stones and Ruben Dias are all set to return to the backline, while Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan will reprise their regular roles in midfield this week.
West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Johnstone; O'Shea, Ajayi, Bartley, Gibbs; Livermore, Sawyers; Snodgrass, Pereira, Grosicki; Robinson
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko; Rodri, Gundogan, Foden; Silva, Jesus, Sterling
We say: West Bromwich Albion 0-3 Manchester City
West Brom were not played off the park by West Ham whatsoever, but their home record speaks for itself and Baggies supporters could be in for a long evening here. Even with De Bruyne sidelined, Guardiola's men simply boast too much quality in the final third and will be determined to rise to the summit - temporarily at least - so the visitors should extend their top-flight winning run at The Hawthorns to seven matches with a dominant victory.
Top betting tip
Video prediction
Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:
