West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester City. Premier League.
The HawthornsAttendance22,470.
Saturday 29 October 2016 14:05, UK
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola takes his side to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday looking to end the longest winless stretch of his managerial career.
City's midweek defeat to rivals Manchester United in the EFL Cup fourth round means they are now on a run of six games without a win.
However, Guardiola hopes those negative results will make his players stronger going forward, starting against the Baggies this weekend.
"I don't remember [what it felt like to experience a similar run], but you have to win again," Guardiola said. "Maybe that situation will make use stronger in the future.
"I need time to learn, improve, I am still in that process. In Spain or Germany it didn't happen like here."
West Brom, meanwhile, head into the match with doubts over key men, although manager Tony Pulis -who signed a one-year contract extension on Friday - has refused to name who they are.
Despite City having not tasted victory in their last six fixtures in all competitions, Pulis is still expecting a tough challenge on Saturday.
"I'm pleased it's not Barcelona coming," Pulis said. "I watched Man City on Wednesday and thought they played really well.
"They made nine changes and I thought they played really well, they just fell off in the second half.
"I think he'll be bringing his first team to the Hawthorns on Saturday to make it more compelling and a more difficult game for us. It will be a game we should embrace and look forward to."
Team news
Jonny Evans will return from suspension after the defender missed last week's 2-1 defeat at Liverpool, but Claudio Yacob is banned after collecting five yellow cards this season.
Pulis still will not select Saido Berahino as the striker continues to regain fitness after being ruled overweight by the club.
City will give fitness tests to Kevin De Bruyne and Pablo Zabaleta. The Belgian playmaker suffered a calf injury in last weekend's draw against Southampton, while defender the full back has missed the last two games after needing stitches to repair a foot injury.
Opta stats
West Brom have lost their last nine Premier League games against City. The only Premier League side they've ever lost more in a row against is Chelsea (11, 2002-2011).
Sergio Aguero has scored five times in eight games against West Brom in the Premier League, but only one of those goals has come at the Hawthorns.
Only against United (11) has Pulis lost more Premier League games as a manager than against City (10, level with Chelsea).
Guardiola has failed to win any of his last three Premier League games (D2 L1) - he last went four league games without a win as manager in May 2009 (with Barcelona).
Pulis has won one of his 15 Premier League games against City (D4 L10), doing so with Stoke in January 2009. His sides have scored only six goals in those 15 games and never more than once in a game against the Citizens, conceding 29.
Merson's prediction
A massive game for Guardiola. It's six without a win now and this is a difficult away match before facing Barcelona again next week.
Before you know it, it could be eight winless games and that's a lot considering the quality they have in their team.
West Brom have been doing well at home recently, getting a draw against Tottenham and beating West Ham, and they will threaten City from set pieces, but I think Guardiola brings back his big names and they squeak a result.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
Betting
Sky Bet have priced City as the odds-on favourites at 4/9 to get three points on the road at West Brom on Saturday afternoon. The Baggies are out at 6/1 with Sky Bet to secure the victory despite having home advantage and the draw can be backed at 7/2.
City have drawn 1-1 in both of their last two Premier League games and Sky Bet's Correct Score Group Betting offers 9/2 for the Hawthorns contest to end 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3.
Both teams have scored in four of West Brom's previous five outings and Sky Bet go 10/11 that both teams find the back of the net in this clash (4/5 they don't).
