Last Premier League game of the first round will see WBA hosting Manchester City. After finishing second in the previous season, Citizens want a title now and are desperate to start the season on the right foot, against a side that most likely will be battling in relegation battle this season. As for tradition, Citizens are doing well away to WBA, having won four out of last five matches, more concretely, last three consecutive games as well.
WBA did very few changes during the Summer transfer window, as they seem to be decided to focus on continuity with the players, after the club managed to get an easy salvation last season. They ended up thirteenth, with nine points more than relegating placed side – situation that they probably can only wish for this season as well and would probably accept it straight away. First choice goalkeeper Ben Foster will miss the start of the season and will be replaced by Boaz Myhill. Gareth McAuley is a doubt with a calf problem he got in a friendly against Swindon but has a chance to play. Rickie Lambert and Saido Berahino will partner in attack, in typical 4-4-2 formation of coach Tony Pullis, who is here since January. They did fairly well during friendly games, finishing the pre-season period with four consecutive victories. WBA (4-4-2): Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Lescott, Brunt; Gardner, Fletcher, Morrison, McClean; Lambert, Berahino.
Manchester City, as said, finished second in the previous season and no doubt that all the fans now want the title only – at least when speaking about Premiership. Team had many friendly matches, with overall impression that the team is playing very offensive football – scoring many goals, but also having huge defensive gaps that the team will have to avoid as soon as possible in order to search for a title this season.
For example, they have won 8:1 over Vietnamese selection, but drew 2:2 against Roma and lost to Real Madrid 4:1 or in the last rehearsal before the Premier League starts – they lost to Stuttgart 4:2 at the beginning of August. Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Samir Nasri have all been suffering will illness in previous days, but all three are expected to be in the starting lineup this night. Yaya Toure and Gael Clichy are doubtful, while defensive midfielder Fabian Delph will miss the game due injury. Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov; Youre, Fernandinho; Sterling, Silva, Nasri; Bony
Man City have won their last 7 matches against West Brom.
Citizens are favorites here, but as said, their defense needs a lot more time in order to start playing fluently. They can’t be trusted fully so early in the season and my first betting option goes with both teams scoring at least once.
Bet: Both teams to score @ 1.80
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