West Brom vs Manchester City: Match Preview

It's back. After 78 days, Manchester City will finally make a return to Premier League action after the summer break and it is a short trip to the Hawthorns for Manuel Pellegrini's men as they look to take back their title after Chelsea's triumph last season.

Tipped by many to be in the title hunt by May, the Blues will be under pressure to perform much better this season from the first whistle and Pellegrini will be expecting better from some individuals.

Despite being level on points with Chelea on New Years Day last season, City slipped up in their next four games to hand Chelsea a big advantage going into the final stretch, before defeats at Burnley and Liverpool all but ended City's defence of their crown.

A run which saw City win their final six games ensured second place was secured and Pellegrini was able to end the campaign with a hint of satisfaction. Perhaps it was that run that convinced Sheikh Mansour and co. to extend the Chilean's contract for a further year just today, but one advantage is that it will put an end to needless speculation regarding his immediate future at the club.

It has been a busy summer at the Etihad, with a number of professionals going both in and out of the door. James Milner and Frank Lampard have been replaced by Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph, whilst Micah Richards and Dedryck Boyata were both let go to Aston Villa and Celtic respectively.

There has been much furore regarding City's incoming transfers this summer, with many questioning the fee that was placed upon Sterling's head, whilst there were also a few eyebrows raised when Delph made an astonishing U-turn after his decision to stay at Villa.

But it has meant that the likes of Enes Unal and Patrick Roberts have escaped under the radar, despite both of them being very shrewd signings and definitely talents to look forward to seeing in the future - with the latter already finding his way into the first team.

There was also good news in the shape of academy graduates Jason Denayer, Marcos Lopes and Kelechi Iheanacho, who were all promoted to the first team for the 2015/16 season.

But with pre-season out of the way, City face a tough trip to the Hawthorns on Monday night as they face a West Brom side looking to push on under the guidance of Tony Pulis.

Before Pulis' arrival in December, the Baggies looked destined for the Championship but his no-nonsense attitude ensured a comfortable mid-table finish. In a bid to improve on last season's 13th placed finish, Pulis has disposed of fringe players and brought in the likes of James McClean, James Chester and Rickie Lambert.

He will also be delighted to have kept hold of star striker Saido Berahino who will be expected to spearhead the Baggies' attack on Monday night alongside Lambert. There won't be a place for Ben Foster though, who is still ruled out with an injury sustained last season, whilst Gareth McAuley is also a doubt with a thigh problem.

For the Blues, there was a boost after Pellegrini told the press that Sergio Aguero was available for selection and you get the feeling that he could the vital difference if City are to clinch the title this year. Raheem Sterling will be expected to make his debut, whilst David Silva and Samir Nasri have also recovered from sickness bugs in time for the big kick off.

There won't be a place for Gael Clichy or Delph though, with the pair set to miss out through injury.

Prediction: West Brom 1 - 3 Manchester City

*Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images AsiaPac*

#westbrom #manchestercity #mancity #manuelpellegrini #raheemsterling #davidsilva #sergioaguero #tonypulis #previews #samirnasri #saidoberahino