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We predict how Manchester City will line up against West Brom on Monday Night Football

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What will Manchester City’s starting line-up look like for their Monday Night Football Premier League opener against West Brom?

Last season’s runners-up have added the £49million Raheem Sterling to their ranks as they look to reclaim the title from champions Chelsea, with Fabian Delph also arriving from Aston Villa.

Man City season preview
Man City season preview

All the transfer news, statistics, pundit views and odds ahead of Manchester City's 2015/16 season.

City could bring in more new signings before the closure of the transfer window on September 1 - and it's unclear with star striker Sergio Aguero will be ready after his Copa America exertions - but here is how they might line-up at the Hawthorns…

Man City's possible line-up for season opener against West Brom
Image: Man City's possible line-up for season opener against West Brom

Goalkeeper

After briefly falling out of favour in the 2013/14 campaign, Joe Hart was back at his best last season. The Englishman started all but two of City’s Premier League games, and he will be the first name on Manuel Pellegrini’s team sheet against West Brom. Willy Caballero was signed from Malaga last season to provide competition for Hart, but the Argentinian only made six appearances for the club and will have to settle for a back-up role again this season.

Defence

Vincent Kompany in action for Manchester City against Melbourne City
Image: Vincent Kompany in action against Melbourne City in pre-season

Defence is a problem area for Pellegrini. City conceded more goals than any of their top four rivals last season, and there have been no new signings in that department so far this summer. Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala are set to start in the central defence against the Baggies despite their struggles last season, while Bacary Sagna is likely to get the nod at right-back following Pablo Zabaleta’s Copa America exploits over the summer. At left-back, Gael Clichy will be hoping to recover from a minor knock.

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Midfield

Yaya Toure of Manchester City takes on the Melbourne City defence
Image: Yaya Toure is set to play a key role for City once again

Fernandinho was another latecomer to City’s pre-season due to the Copa America and new boy Delph is nursing a hamstring strain, so Fernando is likely to start as their most defensive midfielder against West Brom. Yaya Toure should line up alongside the Brazilian after announcing his plans to stay at the club in May, with David Silva pulling the strings in his usual, more advanced role.

Attack

Raheem Sterling of Manchester City
Image: Raheem Sterling has joined from Liverpool

All eyes will be on Raheem Sterling, who is set to make his eagerly-anticipated competitive debut for City at the Hawthorns, with Jesus Navas likely to line up on the opposite flank. Like Zabaleta and Fernandinho, last season’s top scorer Aguero may miss out after his late return from the Copa America. That could open the door to Wilfried Bony. The Ivorian has been sidelined by illness for some of pre-season, but played 45 minutes in the friendly defeat to Stuttgart and could get the nod against West Brom.

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Subs

City could name their returning Copa America stars on the bench against West Brom, while the likes of Samir Nasri is also likely to have to settle for a place among the substitutes. There may also be a spot for Patrick Roberts, the young English forward who joined City from Fulham in July.

Watch West Brom v Man City live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm on Monday

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