Premier League runner-up Manchester City kick-start their Premier League 2015/16 campaign on Monday as they visit The Hawthorns to take on West Bromwich Albion.
Highly rated and much hyped Manchester City youngster Raheem Sterling who had joined the club this summer for a club record transfer fee of £49m from Liverpool will likely make his Premier League for the Cityzens.
Sergio Aguero will be there to and start upfront. Manchester City have no injury issue exept for new recruit Fabian Delph. The former Aston Villa midfielder injured himself in the debut game against Real Madrid during the pre-season.
Former City defender and English international Joleon Lescott is likely to miss the game due to injury concerns. Rickie Lambert, James McClean and James Chester are all ready to make their debuts.
Arsenal loanee Serge Gnabry’s deal will be finalised only after the game so he will not be available for the match.
The likely lineups of both the teams is represented graphically:
Key Battles:
SergioAguero vs Jonas Olsson
Sergio Aguero was the top scorer in the Premier League last season and arguably one of the best players in the league. Aguero did not travel with Manchester City for the pre-seaso tour but he will definitely start in the season opener. Sergio Aguero is a huge threat for any team and West Bromwich Albion’s veteran Swedish Jonas Olsson has to take up the responsibility of marking the mighty Argentine.
David Silva Silva vs Darren Fletcher
Another key man upfront for Manchester City is the Spanish maestro David Silva. The midfielder will likely feature from the center just behind Aguero. His lethal passes, crafty dribblings has to be checked in the midfield itself. Former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher who feature at the heart of West Brom’s midfield will be in charge to keep a check on Silva. It is going to be brilliant battle between the two brilliant midfielders.
Raheem Sterling vs Chris Brunt
Former Liverpool star Raheem Sterling is likely to make his Premier League debut for Manchester City today. Everybody is aware of how lethal the youngster can be on wings. He did a commendable job for the Cityzens during their pre-season. West Bromwich Albion left-back Chris Brunt will have to keep a firm eye on the 21-year-old and check his speedy runs down the flanks.
Rickie Lambert vs Vincent Kompany
Another former Liverpool player who will feature in today’s game is Rickie Lambert. The veteran English striker too will make his debut for West Brom after joining the club few weeks back. City captain Vincent Kompany will have to be vigilant over Rickie Lambert.
Betting Odds:
West Brom win: @5.75
Draw: @4.00
Manchester City win: @1.66