 | #2. West Bromwich Albion versus Manchester CityLocation: The Hawthorns (West Bromwich)Date: Sunday, November 7 Time: 10:00 a.m. Eastern Records (W-D-L, +/-, Place): West Brom, 4-3-3, -3, 6th City, 5-2-3, +3, 4th |  |
English Premier League Week 11 Preview: For West Bromwich Albion And Manchester City, It’s All About Carlos Tevez
When it comes to Manchester City, the first (sometimes only) thing you need to know: Is Carlos Tévez going to play? For the Citizens’ Sunday trip to West Bromwich, it’s still unknown, the captain only returning from leave in Argentina on Friday. His trip back to Manchester was delayed by a thigh injury that prevented him from flying. Whether that injury prevents him from playing will be the difference in this match.
City goes to The Hawthorns to meet a sixth place West Brom side coming off a Monday loss at Blackpool. Don't expect much of a psychological hangover from that match, with Brom having played an hour down two men. Right back Gonzalo Jara will serve a suspension, though the match's other red carded player, Paolo Ibañéz, won his appeal and will be available. Given first choice center back Jonas Olsson is out six weeks, the Spaniard will be a needed replacement.
With Manchester City sitting fourth, this match could become an early fight for a Champions League spot. If West Bromwich wins, they jump City and could sit fourth, depending on what Tottenham Hotspur does Saturday morning at Bolton. A draw or City win keeps the Blues in the top four and relieves some pressure on manager Roberto Mancini.
Probable Lineup, West Bromwich Albion (4-3-3/4-5-1): Carson - Shorey, Ibañéz, Tamas, Zuiverloon - Mulumbu, Scharner, Dorrans - Thomas, Fortuné, Brunt.
Peter Odenwingie is still a doubt with a knee injury. Likewise, James Morrison’s unlikely to go.
Probable Lineup, Manchester City (4-5-1): Hart - Kolarov, Kompany, Kolo Touré, Boateng - Milner, Barry, Yaya Touré, de Jong, Silva - Tévez
Aleksandr Kolarov could return to stabilize the left side of Mancini’s defense.
Key Matchup: It's all about Carlos, and one of the best ways to contain him is to deny him the ball. That falls on Youssuf Mulumbu, who has been amongst the season's best deep-sitting midfielders. He and Phil Scharner will be tasked with cutting-off Tévez's supply line, which means breaking-up counters and being well positioned when David Silva and James Milner come-in from their flanks.
Battle Within The Battle: On the benches we have two former Italian internationals, each with stints in English football, turned Premier League managers. Roberto di Matteo remains the man of the moment, with West Brom still climbing one month after he was awarded the league’s manager of the month. Mancini, on the other hand, is starting to feel the heat after three consecutive losses.
Pick: Yesterday I picked West Brom, but now that it looks like Tévez will play, the match looks completely different. Consider how the game at Blackpool developed, with City holding-out against their host’s pressure until Tévez broke through. This match could be similar and will turn on Tévez’s health and West Brom’s ability to craft a final ball. If Carlos is hampered, this could be a 0-0 or a 1-0 for Brom. If he can go 75 or 80 minutes. City should get a 1-2 win.
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