Venue: Hawthorns Date: Wednesday, 4 December 2013
Links: http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?...01&part=sports
Manchester City will be looking for a cure for their travel sickness when they make a midweek trip to West Bromwich Albion.
The Baggies are not in the best of shape right now - collecting just one win from their seven Premier League outings since stunning Manchester United at Old Trafford in September.
It is, however, results such as that which suggest it would be foolish to underestimate them.
Steve Clarke's side are also stronger at home than a quick glance at the form guide suggests, with their last four outings at The Hawthorns delivering eight points - including one against table-topping Arsenal.
That record does not bode well for City, with their struggles on the road well-documented.
A side which sit third in the table, six points behind the frontrunners, have collected just one win and a draw from six away dates this season.
Were that form to improve just fractionally, City would have to be considered serious contenders for the top-flight crown - with maximum points having been collected from goal-laden home fixtures.
Finding a formula which works away from the Etihad Stadium is the challenge facing Manuel Pellegrini, and he will have another go at getting his tactical calculations right in the Midlands.
Head-to-head
West Bromwich Albion are without a win against Manchester City in seven games since winning at The Hawthorns in December 2008.
Sixty of the 143 meetings between the two clubs have produced four or more goals (42%).
West Bromwich Albion
The Baggies are unbeaten in the last four home league games (W1, D3).
Only Everton have drawn as many games (six) as West Brom in the Premier League.
West Brom are currently unbeaten against three of last season's top four - beating Manchester United and drawing with Arsenal and Chelsea.
Four players - Jonas Olsson, James Morrison, Chris Brunt and Graham Dorrans - remain from the line-up that last beat City in December 2008.
The Baggies have mustered just one goal in their last six Premier League games against Manchester City.
Steve Clarke's side have dropped points from winning positions on three occasions this season, more than any other Premier League club.
Manchester City
All four of Manchester City's defeats have come away from home, equalling their tally on their travels for the whole of last season.
City are the division's top goalscorers, with 37 in 13 league games. Sergio Aguero (10) and Alvaro Negredo (6) have netted more between them than West Brom's entire league tally of 15.
Only eight of City's goals scored have come on their travels, while their points per game average on the road is less than one (0.66).
Manchester City are looking to win three successive Premier League games for the first time since mid-April.
Manuel Pellegrini's side have won five of six matches against top-half opposition, but have lost three of seven against sides in the bottom half.
Alvaro Negredo has scored eight goals in his last seven appearances for City in all competitions.