Allen Hamilton
What: English Premier League
Who: West Brom vs Manchester City
When: Monday 26th December, 2011 at 15:00 UK Time
Where: The Hawthornes, West Bromwich, England
Unfamiliar Hodgson-led Run
Roy Hodgson’s sides have always struggled away from home, relying on above average home form to make good the difference. But the West Brom manager has turned that on its head this season, with his Baggies outfit having won just twice at The Hawthornes so far this season, though notching some impressive away scalps.
The latest of these came last week, with a 3-2 win away to high-flying Newcastle United. It was a win which saw star striker Peter Odemwingie play a key part – the Nigerian had a run-in with Hodgson earlier in the season, with the former Liverpool boss bemoaning his unwillingness to play through the pain barrier.
That win at St. James’ Park can rightfully be considered to have been unexpected, given that Newcastle have flown in the first half of the campaign. With West Brom now in 10th, would troubling Manchester City on home turf be equally as surprising? Hodgson believes so, stressing that the Citizens deserve respect, but is bidding to make it happen nonetheless.
"I think you show them the respect they deserve", said the West Brom boss. "You prepare like we prepared for Newcastle. You make sure your players are aware of where the dangers are going to come from. You make the players aware of the possible chances they will have to cause Man City problems. You try and get people fit and hope the occasion itself and the 25,000 people roaring us on will help us get a result I suppose most people in the country are not expecting us to get."
On Top in 2012
2011 has been a year of change for Manchester City; silverware won in the form of the FA Cup and Champions League football achieved. And manager Roberto Mancini will be bidding to start 2012 on top of the Premier League, confirming that his men are indeed title contenders.
Little should trouble the Citizens here in truth and The Hawthornes should represent just another stop on an all-powerful train, surging towards its destination, with May the arrival date. But football is not played on paper and, just as Fulham held City to a draw back in September, West Brom will hope to present an equally awkward challenge.
Mancini should arrive here with confidence though, as the Citizens’ form on the road has been nothing short of remarkable. Highlights include a 5-1 win at Tottenham, a
5-2 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, a 6-1 drubbing of Manchester United and a 4-0 win over Blackburn. Common sense would dictate that a similar outcome will occur here. City’s boss though is not getting carried away.
"I have a lot of respect for West Bromwich", said Mancini, "and I have a lot of respect for Roy Hodgson – he is one of the best managers in Europe. I played against him when he was manager at Inter.
"I think it will be very hard because they play good football. They have had some problems but they have won their last two away games and seem to be in good form, it will be a hard match."
Recent form
West Brom:
West Brom 1-2 Wigan (10/12; Premier League)
Blackburn Rovers 1-2 West Brom (17/12; Premier League)
Newcastle United 2-3 West Brom (21/12; Premier League)
Manchester City:
Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City (12/12; Premier League)
Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal (18/12; Premier League)
Manchester City 3-0 Stoke City (21/12; Premier League)
Key absences
West Brom: Youssouf Mulumbu (doubt); Jerome Thomas (doubt); Steven Reid
Manchester City: Micah Richards (doubt); Edin Dzeko (doubt); Aleksandar Kolorov
Players to watch
West Brom – Peter Odemwingie: The Nigerian is West Brom’s chief goal threat and has continued to perform despite Hodgson’s earlier scolding of his fitness. Odemwingie is the player who looks most able to cause Manchester City’s expensively assembled defence problems.
Manchester City – Mario Balotelli: Balotelli has been told by Mancini that he can conquer the world – if he can stay out of trouble and concentrate on his football. 2012 looks a key year for the former Inter man. Either he matures, or he remains an unpredictable enigma.
Match Prediction
West Brom are on a run of good form, but their results at home have been worryingly poor. That will surely turn around, but not here, with City ready to steamroller their way into 2012 on top of the Premier League. West Brom 1-3 Manchester City.
