Match Previews

Albion v Manchester City match preview

ALBION host Manchester City in a Premier League fixture at The Hawthorns this Saturday.

The opposition  

Man City currently sit top of the Premier League table on 25 points after winning eight and drawing one of their first nine matches.

Manager Pep Guardiola has been at the club for just over a year, having joined in 2016.

He guided City to a third place finish last season, and recruited strongly over the summer by bringing in the likes of Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy, Ederson and Danilo.

Last time out 

The most recent meeting between the sides was only last month as Manchester City ran out 2-1 winners in an entertaining Carabao Cup fixture.

City completed the double over Albion last season, winning 3-1 at The Etihad and 4-0 at The Hawthorns.

Claudio Yacob celebrates scoring against Man City

Stats

Albion

  • The Baggies are unbeaten at home in the Premier League so far this season.
  • Albion’s first ever win against Man City was a 6-1 hammering back in 1896.
  • Oliver Burke is in contention to make his third appearance for the club after recovering from his injury.

Man City

  • City are unbeaten across all competitions so far this campaign.
  • Sergio Aguero is currently level with Eric Brook on 177 goals for City, meaning one more strike would make him the club’s all-time top scorer.
  • Guardiola’s side have scored 10 goals in their last two Premier League games.

The gaffers

Tony Pulis on Man City

"They are most probably the form team in Europe, not just in England.

"The performances they have put in and the goals they are scoring mean that it's going to be a really, really tough game.

"Pep Guardiola has got what he wants and now he is starting to show people what a fantastic coach he is."

Pep Guardiola on the game

"The same level we finished last season we have carried on into this season so we are very happy for that.

"We started the same way this year as last season. Last Tuesday we realised how difficult it is to win games. We have to be calm and focused.

From the archive

Here are the highlights from Albion’s win against Man City back in 2008.

Head to head

The head-to-head record is slightly in favour of Manchester City, who have won 69 of the 152 matches that have been played - compared to the Baggies' 54 victories.

Man in the middle

Saturday’s referee will be Mike Jones - and he’ll be assisted by Matthew Wilkes and Mick McDonough, with Tim Robinson acting as the fourth official.

Jones took charge of the last fixture between Albion and City in September.

In the four Baggies matches he was in the middle for last season, Tony Pulis’ side picked up two wins, one draw and a loss.

Ticket news

Tickets for the clash are now on general sale.

They are priced at £35 adults, £28 seniors (60+), £23 full-time students & young adults (22 and under) and £14 juniors.

Seats can be purchased online, in person from the East Stand Ticket Office or by calling 0121 227 2227.

Follow the game

Comprehensive coverage of the clash with Man City is available in our Match Centre, where you can listen to free live commentary on WBA Radio or follow our live text feed.

WBA Radio is the only service that allows Baggies fans around the world - from Smethwick to the Sahara - access to uninterrupted live commentaries from every one of our competitive games. Join Gez Mulholland and Dave Bowler for Baggies-biased live commentary on Saturday.

You’ll also be able to find score updates on the club's social media channels.

Twitter - @WBA

Facebook - West Bromwich Albion

Instagram - wba

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