It probably hasn’t been lost on Manuel Pellegrini that each of the last five title winners have opened their campaigns on a Monday night, with two of these being City wins.
As for the hosts, Tony Pulis has added Rickie Lambert, Serge Gnabry, James Chester, James McClean, Darren Fletcher and Callum McManaman to his squad as he looks to improve on their 13th place finish last season.
The former Stoke boss has also kept hold of former City man Joleon Lescott who was one of the Baggies’ top performers last season and was reportedly courted by Midlands rivals Aston Villa in the summer.
Here’s everything you need to know about our first game of our campaign…
Need to know
Match: WBA v City
Competition: Barclays Premier League
Date and time: Monday 10 August, 8pm.
Referee: Mike Dean
Last time: WBA 1-3 City, 26/12/14
Head-to-head league record: West Brom wins 49, draws 27, City wins 60
TV and radio: Sky Sports 1, BBC Radio Five Live (Global listings)
Team News
Out for City: Fabian Delph (Hamstring), Gael Clichy (Ankle)
Doubts for City: “Maybe the South American players are not 100% to start the season but they are working very hard and very well” – Manuel Pellegrini
Out for WBA: Ben Foster (ACL)
Doubts for WBA: Gareth McAuley, Joleon Lescott
Key quotes
Manuel Pellegrini: ”I think the style with this group will continue as it has in the last two seasons. It’s not fortune that we have been the team that scores most goals, we didn’t win the title but we were an attacking team, maybe we need to be more competitive or play with more concentration at times.”
Sergio Aguero: “The Premier League is tough but we are experienced and I really think we will be fine. With Sterling’s arrival I think we are going to improve in attack - he’s a great player.”
Raheem Sterling: “West Brom is always a difficult place to go. I think they will sit in and try to nick a 1-0 win because that’s how they tend to play against teams who go there to attack. That was the case when I was at Liverpool and I don’t think it will be any different when we go to The Hawthorns. I think they will try and hold the game up as long as they can and then try and nick a goal at some stage.”
Tony Pulis: “The situation is Joleon has trained with us today and hopefully he will train with us tomorrow and the next day and be involved in the Man City game.”
Rickie Lambert: “”I feel as if I’ve got a point to prove to myself. That’s always the biggest drive, yourself. And it will carry on being that way.”
Chris Brunt: “It is all about getting our sharpness and making sure that we are ready to hit the ground running in the first game of the season, because Manchester City is going to be a difficult test.”
Ticket info: Away allocation sold out
Further reading
Talking Points: Will Sergio Aguero start against West Brom?
Who will wear what? Squad numbers for 2015/16
Mangala says defence will improve
Manuel Pellegrini delivers team news
City Weekend: Who’s playing where?
