***City vs Baggies official match thread***

[CTID Hants]

They keep coming thick & fast these games!!

Tonight should be the perfect opportunity to increase our GD whilst keeping another clean ....


Concerns.......... (A) that thug Livermore kicks chunks out of our players (B) we won't see a repeat of the bore fest that was Saturday, I doubt they will park two buses like the rags did!

Bilic as a manager has come up against City just 5 times, W1, D1, L3

Usual Stats/info from the Beeb................

LAWRO'S PREDICTION
The Manchester derby was a nothing game but, from Manchester City's perspective, a point at Old Trafford is never a bad result.

They have to win this one, though. West Brom will have a plan to sit in, defend and keep City out, but I don't see that working for very long.

Prediction: 3-0

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

Manchester City have won the last 13 meetings in league and cup by an aggregate score of 37-9, a club-record run against another top-flight side.

City last failed to beat West Brom in a goalless Premier League draw on Boxing Day in 2011.

The Baggies have not beaten City in the league since a 2-1 home triumph in December 2008.

West Brom have never won a Premier League game at the Etihad Stadium, losing on nine their of 11 visits.

Manchester City

Manchester City are unbeaten in six matches in all competitions, winning four times and drawing twice.

City could set a new club record of seven consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.

Their tally of 19 points after 11 league games is their fewest since 2013-14, when they went on to win the league.

They have won just four times in 10 league matches, with each win coming against sides currently in the bottom six.

Pep Guardiola's side are without defeat in four home league games, keeping clean sheets in all three wins (D1).

They have won 23 of their past 26 midweek Premier League fixtures, losing the other three.

They are without defeat in 39 home league matches against promoted sides, winning 35 and drawing four.

Guardiola's men have scored 17 goals after 11 games, exactly half the total they had at this stage of last season.

Kevin De Bruyne has scored five goals and assisted seven in his past eight league starts versus promoted opposition.


West Bromwich Albion

Defeat would see West Brom equal their club record for fewest points after 13 league games.

Albion have lost five of their six away league fixtures this season, with their sole point coming at Brighton.

The Baggies have lost 10 of their past 13 Premier League away games, scoring just seven goals in the process.

They have never won a Premier League game on a Tuesday night, losing 15 and drawing 12 of 27 previous contests.

West Brom have conceded a league-high 25 goals.

They have let in 17 second-half goals, five more than any Premier League rival.

This is the 100th Premier League fixture of Slaven Bilic's managerial career.

Baggies boss Bilic has lost three successive matches against City, doing so by an aggregate score of 1-12.

[Beefymcfc]

Can’t believe we’re here again with just 3 days in between games, with so many coming up. I honestly thought we’d get a week off following the end of the CL group games.

[CTID Hants]

Can’t believe we’re here again with just 3 days in between games, with so many coming up. I honestly thought we’d get a week off following the end of the CL group games.

Ha ha tell me about it, my missus getting fed up with me robbing the telly downstairs! I have to watch it downstairs as it would seem weird supping a pint in the bedroom

[sheblue]

An ideal opportunity for a small bit of bravery in team selection.

Give Dias a night off. Fern doesn't need to play in this one.
Ed.
Walker Stones Laporte Ake.
KDB Rodri Foden.
Sterling Jesus Torres.

[CTID Hants]

An ideal opportunity for a small bit of bravery in team selection.

Give Dias a night off. Fern doesn't need to play in this one.
Ed.
Walker Stones Laporte Ake.
KDB Rodri Foden.
Sterling Jesus Torres.

That looks very workable

[Nick]

No keep cbs

[City64]

Best starting eleven possible, Dias and Ake absolutely must start . Foden and Bernie also , Mahrez nowhere near the squad perfect !

[carl_feedthegoat]

The defense pairing of Dias and Stones is a must - if the plank changes them then hes really lost the fuckign plot.

[Green & Blue]

Confident going into this, worst defence in the league.

Hopefully see Torres, Foden and Bernardo involved to breath some life into our attack and a have few goals to enjoy.

[Green & Blue]

The defense pairing of Dias and Stones is a must - if the plank changes them then hes really lost the fuckign plot.

I think it’s a given Laporte will feature tonight and if we are lucky enough we might even see Garcia

He will be trying to keep players fresh.

[Outcast]

An ideal opportunity for a small bit of bravery in team selection.

Give Dias a night off. Fern doesn't need to play in this one.
Ed.
Walker Stones Laporte Ake.
KDB Rodri Foden.
Sterling Jesus Torres.

No tinkering with the solid back 4, however upfront that's a different story

[blues2win]

Cancelo and Mendy as wing backs.

[Hazy2]

Can’t believe we’re here again with just 3 days in between games, with so many coming up. I honestly thought we’d get a week off following the end of the CL group games.

Crazy times mate.

[salford city]

Cancelo and Mendy as wing backs.

We will see mendy - not convinced he will replace walker with cancello though he should for me, give him a rest. Mahrez and Fern out bern and Foden in

[Nick]

I'd drop both mahrez and sterling

wont happen

[sheblue]

The defense pairing of Dias and Stones is a must - if the plank changes them then hes really lost the fuckign plot.

I think it’s a given Laporte will feature tonight and if we are lucky enough we might even see Garcia

He will be trying to keep players fresh.

I think he will play Laporte. He is due a game.
As for Garcia I just dont get it al all, especially when Harwood Bellis has signed a new deal. And Garcia hell bent on going. Its mad.

But I suppose peps mad decisions, well thats an entirely separate debate.

[carl_feedthegoat]

The defense pairing of Dias and Stones is a must - if the plank changes them then hes really lost the fuckign plot.

I think it’s a given Laporte will feature tonight and if we are lucky enough we might even see Garcia

He will be trying to keep players fresh.

I think he will play Laporte. He is due a game.
As for Garcia I just dont get it al all, especially when Harwood Bellis has signed a new deal. And Garcia hell bent on going. Its mad.

But I suppose peps mad decisions, well thats an entirely separate debate.

Why the fuck would we take out Dias and Stones right now ? we need to win and that pairing have not conceded so why fuck with it.

[Hazy2]

Laporte a squad player who knew ? Dias will need a break the games the travel with CL, but I agree with above heart in mouth if he is missing tbh.

[salford city]

The defense pairing of Dias and Stones is a must - if the plank changes them then hes really lost the fuckign plot.

I think it’s a given Laporte will feature tonight and if we are lucky enough we might even see Garcia

He will be trying to keep players fresh.

I think he will play Laporte. He is due a game.
As for Garcia I just dont get it al all, especially when Harwood Bellis has signed a new deal. And Garcia hell bent on going. Its mad.

But I suppose peps mad decisions, well thats an entirely separate debate.

Why the fuck would we take out Dias and Stones right now ? we need to win and that pairing have not conceded so why fuck with it.

I'd say the same across the back - but we all know he will rotate the full backs.

[sheblue]

The defense pairing of Dias and Stones is a must - if the plank changes them then hes really lost the fuckign plot.

I think it’s a given Laporte will feature tonight and if we are lucky enough we might even see Garcia

He will be trying to keep players fresh.

I think he will play Laporte. He is due a game.
As for Garcia I just dont get it al all, especially when Harwood Bellis has signed a new deal. And Garcia hell bent on going. Its mad.

But I suppose peps mad decisions, well thats an entirely separate debate.

Why the fuck would we take out Dias and Stones right now ? we need to win and that pairing have not conceded so why fuck with it.

We need to give Laporte and Ake game time. Keep them sharp for when they ARE needed. And they will be needed.
Stones has some injury / missing record. Who knows when he will disappear again.
This is the ideal game to play them.