Manchester City vs Westbrom: Match preview, betting tips and predictions

No luck! Raheem Sterling flew in the air but came down to nothing as United blocked all routes to their goal in the Manchester Derby. (Photo...

No luck! Raheem Sterling flew in the air but came down to nothing as United blocked all routes to their goal in the Manchester Derby. (Photo credit: Premierleague.com)

Manchester City vs Westbrom
Etihad
9:00pm

Manchester City is on the rise, but their stalemate at Old Trafford proves that they have a lot of work to do upfront and with Sergio Aguero missing altogether from the match day squad against Manchester United, you won’t put it past them to dive into the window in January to shop for a proper striker.

Westbrom aren’t the sort of opposition you want to particularly analyze and analyze before you take to the pitch but if you witnessed how Fulham stood up to the champions at Craven Cottage last weekend, you’d realize you won’t put anything past anyone.

Manchester City sit outside the top six, albeit with a game in hand but is that what they want? Is that who they are? They have dropped points in funny circumstances this season but they aren’t the only one, the pieces are beginning to form a fine shape and how they approach the festive season will determine the rest.

Westbrom went to Newcastle and thought they had picked a point until their own former player, Dwight Gale headed the Toons to a deserved three points.

The Baggies had fallen to a strange first minute Miguel Almiron strike, it was a very swift move, a master stroke from Newcastle but Furlong leveled the scores in the second half with a classic striker’s finish with the outside of his right foot.

The late loss left Westbrom second from bottom and that must really worry Slaven Bilic. It’s horrific for Westbrom to actually play a team like City at this time but they have to face them at some points, if they can take advantage of City’s high line and get Gallagher to hug the line, they might be able to exploit.

On paper, this is directly a David and Goliath affair but Pep Guardiola will know that you don’t count points until it is earned, they labored hard against Fulham and could have lost to United if VAR didn’t chalk off the penalty awarded to the hosts.

The Baggies will defend like their lives depend on it, they must avoid real hammering and know that a draw would feel like three points, they got one against Chelsea, they can do it again but defense is the only way to attack City.

Manchester City will rely on their rich midfield to conquer Westbrom, they might likely recall Fernandinho to return in midfield, but the big news will be the rejuvenation of John Stones in defense as he’s now surprisingly ahead of Ayemeric Laporte.

Gabriel Jesus is under pressure, he isn’t delivering and he can’t even fault supplies, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling are doing enough, the Brazilian isn’t just coming to party and this is one good reason for the Citizens to shop for Aguero’s replacement in January, that player isn’t Gabriel Jesus.