betprepare.com

City after the 9th straight win

Manchester City are to face the modest West Bromwich without three key strikers but in great shape to try and record their 9th straight win in all competitions, which they managed to do only twice so far (in 2011 and 1910)

Getty Images

Just how unreliable and poor-performing WBA are became obvious last round as they took a 2-goal lead over QPR away to allow Austin to score a hat-trick for a comeback. Losing points like that against a direct danger zone rival is tough, but the fixture schedule is not merciful, setting WBA to face Manchester City in a Boxing Day clash.

It will be tough for Irvin's team to create attempts or even have possession today.

- We're disappointed about the defeat to QPR because we needed to win that game, but I believe we've learned from our mistakes and that we won't make them again - manager Alan Irvine hopes ahead of this game. He can't count on forward Anichebe and center back Olsson.

- Despite having to do without basically all their strikers, City scored three goals to beat Crystal Palace, proving they are a top level team. What little weak points they might have, we need to know how to use. We need to be fierce and I believe we'll create attempts as a result, especially from counter-attacks - said Irvine, who will try and stop the visitors from displaying their technical skills. Only Berahino, who scored 7 goals this season, will be Irvin's striker today.

Despite not having a single striker at his disposal, what with Aguero, Dzeko, and Jovetic injured, City beat Crystal Palace 3-0 for their 6th consecutive championship win that got saw them lag only three points behind Chelsea.

Manager Pellegrini can be very happy about his team's performances and efficiency over the last month, even though he knows they need to keep it up because Chelsea aren't very likely to slip.

- We were on the brink of ending our Champions League campaign three weeks ago and Chelsea were 9 points ahead in the league. We were the team that relied on Aguero completely, which is why I think we performed a little miracle. The miracle has a name, it's called hard work - Pellegrini said. He won't be able to count on the aforementioned three strikers, which means midfielder Milner might be the striker again. David Silva was the key man in the last match, scoring two goals and finding form after recovering an injury.

- Our midfielders and defenders would score quite a lot last season too, that is our style - a lot of players participate both in offense and defense. Playing without a striker is not easy, but we had enough time to prepare and to explain to players what we want from them. We work hard every week and we are capable of changing our style quite a lot, even though I still prefer having one of two strikers on the pitch. It's good to know we have an alternative though. I think we're in great shape and I'm sure well beat WBA as well - Pellegrini said. His key player Kompany is still out, Clichy is back but Kolarov is expected to start as the left back today.

Manchester City scored at least a goal in the last 14 championship games, which makes them the best team in the league. They have not lost to West Bromwich in the last 7 head-to-head games. If they would win today, they would extend their winning streak to 9 games (two competitions), which happened only twice in the past - in the year 2011 and 1910.