West Bromwich Albion avoided relegation last season thanks to the guidance of lower-table master Tony Pulis, and they’ll be aiming a bit higher this season. They look like they’re about to buy Solomon Rondon from Zenit St. Petersburg, and Pulis says he hopes more signings are on the way.
West Brom vs. Manchester City 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Raheem Sterling gets to start his City career getting beaten up by Tony Pulis’ boys.
Ben Hoskins/Getty Images
Unfortunately for Pulis, those signings won’t be available when his team takes on top four regulars Manchester City in the season opener on Monday.
City limped through last season, never coming particularly close to challenging for the title. There were rumors they’d fire manager Manuel Pellegrini and sell most of their star players, but they’ve stuck with last season’s squad, plus a couple of homegrown additions. Are City in a holding pattern, waiting for a superstar manager and saving up for a spending spree next summer? Or do they really think they were just unlucky last year?
If they are going to beat West Brom on Monday and go on to challenge for trophies, they’ll need their young superstar signing to produce.
New player to watch - Raheem Sterling
While Sterling was certainly Liverpool’s most exciting player last season, his finishing let him down on a regular basis. He’ll have to be a bit more lethal in front of goal to pay back the British record transfer fee that City shelled out for him, though they won’t be too upset if he racks up a huge assist total setting up Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero.
Upset potential - Pretty high!
As we saw over the weekend, big teams with big-name new signings are still working out the kinks. None of last year’s top six teams put in good performances over the weekend. And even in good form, big teams struggle to win away to Pulis sides.
West Bromwich Albion injuries and suspensions
Out: Ben Foster (knee), Serge Gnabry (didn’t join in time). In doubt: Joleon Lescott (knock), Gareth McAuley (calf)
Manchester City injuries and suspensions
Out: Gael Clichy (ankle), Fabian Delph (hamstring). In doubt: David Silva (fitness), Samir Nasri (fitness), Sergio Aguero (fitness), Yaya Toure (concussion)
Match date/time: Monday, 3 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. local
Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.), Sportsnet World (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. - English), NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Go (U.K.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada)
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