Why Alvaro Negredo will be key if Manchester City are to record a second away win

Alvaro Negredo

Date: Wednesday 4th December

Venue: The Hawthorns

KO: 20.00

After beating Swansea 3-0 at the weekend, their seventh home win out of seven in the Premier League this season, Manchester City will now be looking to kick-start their away form with a win at West Brom on Wednesday evening. They have won just once on the road all season – a 3-1 victory at West Ham back in October.

West Brom, who lie 12th in the table, will be looking to find some form having taken just two points from their last three matches.

Team News:

West Brom

Youssuf Mulumbu is suspended, meaning Steve Clarke’s side are without their most accomplished midfielder after he picked up his fifth booking of the season in the defeat to Newcastle. Zoltan Gera is available again after a long battle with injury, but former City man Nicolas Anelka could miss out with a groin problem.

Manchester City

Vincent Kompany is fit and available and could make his first start since sustaining a thigh injury in the match against Everton in early October. The City captain has made just four league appearances so far this season, and in two of those he has left the field early through injury. With his recent injury record and his importance to City, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him given even more time to ensure a full recovery.

David Silva, Matija Nastasic and Stevan Jovetic will all be out for at least another week.

Recent Form

West Brom have only won one of their last six league games – a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at the start of November. Their last match was the 2-1 defeat away at Newcastle on Saturday. Chris Brunt cancelled out the opener from Yoan Gouffran, only for Moussa Sissoko to hit the winner moments later.

City’s recent form has seen them have win four and lose two, including the 6-0 drubbing of Spurs and Sunday’s 3-0 win over Swansea. They’ve scored 20 goals in those six matches but have struggled on the road. Their last away game was the 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.

Players to Watch

West Brom – Stephane Sessegnon

With Mulumbu missing, West Brom’s key man is Stephane Sessegnon. His pace can be a real handful, and he is one of West Brom’s most creative forces, having made 11 chances for his teammates already this season.

He has a passing accuracy of 84% and has a couple of league goals to his name already. City will need to keep an eye on him.

Average Pass Accuracy

Manchester City – Alvaro Negredo

What a signing Negredo has proven to be. Six league goals – 12 in total – and a near-telepathic understanding with Sergio Aguero already established. He’s created 10 chances for other players in his 13 league outings so far this season.

He’s so much more than a goalscorer, though. This is a player who gives defenders 90 minutes of problems with his physicality and hard-work. One of the best signings this season.

Average Shot Accuracy

Prediction

The importance of this match will not be lost on City who will be eager to get some away form going.

West Brom 1-2 Manchester City