West Bromwich Albion face a hugely difficult task trying to continue their recent impressive form in their next Premier League game.
West Brom face a huge task trying to keep their recent unbeaten run going in their next game as they travel to the Etihad Stadium to face a Manchester City side that are well clear at the top of the Premier League table and have lost just once this season.
To make matters potentially slightly worse for Alan Pardew, City have broken their transfer record to bring defender Aymeric Laporte in for £57 million during the last couple of days – as reported by BBC Sport.
Baggies fans may be hoping that they may be able to catch a first glimpse of their January signings: Ali Gabr and Daniel Sturridge. But perhaps it may not be the greatest surprise if neither starts at the Etihad, especially given Sturridge’s lack of game-time coupled with his struggles with injury in the past.
Another notable absentee from the predicted lineup is Jonny Evans. West Brom fans may be slightly more confident about their chances of keeping the defender given City’s acquisition of Laporte, but he did pick up a knock at Liverpool in the FA Cup so he may perhaps also be rested.
Kieran Gibbs was also injured against the Reds, but having that specialist left-back playing may prove important given the strength that City clearly boast in attack.
Meanwhile, James McClean comes back into the predicted lineup having been an unused substitute at Liverpool, with Jake Livermore dropping out.
With that in mind, here is a look at the predicted lineup in full…
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