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Manchester City host West Brom at the Ethiad Stadium on Wednesday night.
While The Baggies sit comfortably in 13th, City must win to try and put some pressure on first place Manchester United.
City’s title hopes were handed a massive blow when they went down 1-0 to Arsenal on Sunday. With United winning at QPR earlier in the day, Roberto Mancini’s side are now eight points behind their local rivals.
Mancini’s men are now without a win in four, their performance against The Gunners was nothing like the side that started of the season flying. City looked lethargic and ill disciplined on Sunday and Mario Balotelli’s sending off capped of an awful afternoon.
The Citizens found themselves eight point in front in the Premier League at one stage this season, which makes their recent form all the more frustrating.
City still hold the best record at home in the league this season, dropping points only once to Sunderland.
This is still a massive game for Mancini and his team, who will be very reluctant to just hand The Red Devils the title.
West Brom all but secured their Premier League survival with a 3-0 win over Blackburn on Saturday. Roy Hodgson will, however, be desperate for his side to reach the much talked about 40 point mark. Something they can do with a result on Wednesday.
Hodgson’s men have been better on the road than at the Hawthorns this season, picking up 21 points on their travel’s compared to 18 at home.
The Baggies will know they are more than capable of getting a result against Man City, after playing out a goal less draw back in December.
With the pressure somewhat off West Brom and a top half finish still possible, they could prove a real test for Roberto Mancini’s side.
Match Odds
Manchester City are clear favourites for this game, VC Bet feel a home win is almost certain with odds of 1.30 (3/10). West Brom know it will take something special to win at the Ethiad, Coral are offering odds as long as 13.00 (12/1) on this happening. A draw is available at 5.00 (4/1) with Ladbrokes.
First Goal-Scorer
Sergio Aguero is Man City’s leading scorer this season, which makes him favourite to get the scoring started on Wednesday. Aguero is 4.50 (7/2) with BlueSQ.
Peter Odemwingie looks like West Brom’s best scoring chance. The Nigerian is 13.00 (12/1) with Bet365 to open the scoring.
Recommended Bet
Manchester City will feel they need a big performance to really show they still mean business. A recommended bet for this one is for City to thrash The Baggies 5-0, which is 29.00 (28/1) with SportingBet.
