Preview
2014 title tales continue - can Manuel cause Pepe hell?
As the tales of the 2014 title race continue to disentangle, one rather unlikely protagonist has arrived on the scene. Gus Poyet's Premier League pit-dwellers aimed a virulent arrow into the softening skin of Manchester City's injury-plagued platoon on Wednesday night - but their incredible assault on the league's elite continued into the weekend with a mammoth away victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. With José's 77-Premier League game unbeaten home run now dwelling in the Black Cat litter tray, the sky blues have hope - and it would only take a Chelsea win at Anfield this weekend to write another chapter in Manchester City's bid for the title.
It's been a difficult week for Manuel Pellegrini who has finally been force-fed a spoonful of the hostility of the British media. One week you're a saint, one week you're a sinner - and the Chilean has certainly been designated as the tabloid's verbal victim this month. Although the South-American's first season naivety has been unveiled through a lack of squad rotation, the footballing world seems to have forgotten the scalding attacking football that Pellegrini has imposed on English football in his first year at the club. The blues have scored 88 goals this season, and although Liverpool may lead the scoring charts by eight goals, they have had the benefit of two extra Premier League games, a striking partnership largely unaffected by the claws of injury and no European competition to ply their trade in. Brendan Rodgers deserves his credit, but it would be interesting to see where Liverpool would be if they had actually secured European football last term.
(Brendan Rodgers' side have been spared the fatigue European football has imposed on Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal this season)
In truth, the 'depth' in Manchester City's squad is a myth. Realistically, the blues have four world class players in their ranks in Vincent Kompany, Yaya Touré, David Silva and Sergio Agüero - but their replacements are players that are consistently linked with summer moves away from the club throughout the season. For Kompany City have Lescott - a 31-year-old leaving on a free transfer this summer; for Touré they have Garcia - a calming influence that offers no real power or pace; for Silva Pellegrini could summon Jovetić - an exciting talent that has missed three months with ongoing injuries; and for Agüero they play Džeko - a proven goalscorer, but a player who lacks consistency. Pellegrini has class available to him, but only when injury decides to overlook his squad.
The Chilean's Monday night adversary is a man he knows all too well from his days in the Spanish La Liga, and one he has backed to succeed in English football. Former Real Betis manager Pepe Mel has managed only two wins in 13 games with his new side as the Baggies continue to wrestle with the league's relegation fighters, but Manuel Pellegrini believes the Spaniard will settle at the club.
(Pepe Mel has made a leisurely start to life at West Brom)
“I think he is a very good manager," Pellegrini is quoted as saying by the Guardian.
"He is a manager that wants his teams to play attractive football – he always tries to make it so that his team will play with a lot of possession of the ball and make a very offensive game.”
Asked if he could see Mel being successful in the Premier League, Pellegrini replied: “Yes, of course, because I repeat – I think he is a very good manager and he worked very well in Spain. I am sure that here in England when he settles, he will be a very good manager also.”
Asked if he could see Mel being successful in the Premier League, Pellegrini replied: “Yes, of course, because I repeat – I think he is a very good manager and he worked very well in Spain. I am sure that here in England when he settles, he will be a very good manager also.”
Liverpool may be in pole position for their first title in 15 years, but the lifeline handed to Pellegrini's side by Chelsea on Saturday has supplied a faint glimmer of hope. The blues must resurrect the energy that characterised their early march in the title race and pick up an Etihad atmosphere that has been lacking in recent weeks. It's been said before, but the blues can not afford to lose a single game from here until the 11th May - only this time, there's no other option.
Prediction: 3-0
Line-Ups
David Silva and Jesus Navas are unlikely to feature as they continue to recover from niggling ankle injuries whilst Yaya Touré and Matija Nastasić remain unavailable.
Pellegrini is likely to make changes to the side that whimpered against Sunderland last Wednesday and the addition of Stevan Jovetić would certainly infuse the side with the spark they need to continue pushing for the title. The Montenegrin excited a subdued crowd with a glittering cameo last Wednesday, and should be handed a start for his efforts in such difficult circumstances.
(Stevan Jovetić could provide the energy Manchester City crave this evening)
Jack Rodwell could be preferred to Javi García who failed to supply any sort of pace in the midfield last week whilst James Milner is likely to keep his place on the right in the absence of Navas.
Jonas Olsson and James Morrison face late fitness tests for the Baggies.
Head to Head Stats
- West Brom have never won at the Etihad Stadium
- In their last five home fixtures against the Baggies, Manchester City have been victorious on four occasions scoring 12 goals in the process
- City's last home loss to West Brom came in February 2003 when goals from Neil Clement and Darren Moore handed the Baggies a 2-1 win at Maine Road
- The blues have won four out of their last five fixtures against Mel's side
Premier League stats
- Manchester City (88) have scored 44 more goals than West Brom (40) this season
- The Baggies (51) have conceded 17 more goals than the blues (34)
- Manchester City (86%) have completed 8% more of their passes than Pepe Mel's side (78%)
- Manchester City (449) have created 142 more chances than West Brom (307)
