PABLO ZABALETA | Manchester CityGetty

Man City Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs West Brom

Pep Guardiola may be tempted to hand Pablo Zabaleta a start on what will be the Argentine's final Manchester City appearance at the Etihad Stadium.

Houston to host Manchester derby

City confirmed on Saturday that Zabaleta will leave the club when his contract expires this summer, and the team will pay tribute to the right-back before and after Tuesday's game against West Brom.

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Guardiola will have to decide whether to play Zabaleta from the start, and the Catalan must also choose whether to reinstate Sergio Aguero to the line-up or keep Gabriel Jesus up front.


MAN CITY INJURIES


Aguero is back from injury and sources close to the player have stressed he did not have any lingering concerns when he was left on the bench on Saturday.

John Stones returned to training at the same time as Aguero last week but was not fit enough to take part in the 2-1 victory against Leicester City.

Both Claudio Bravo (calf) and Ilkay Gundogan (knee) are ruled out.

Sergio Aguero Manchester City 2017Getty Images John Stones Manchester City Premier LeagueGetty Images

MAN CITY SUSPENSIONS


Neither side have any suspensions to contend with.

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MAN CITY POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP


Although City still need to win both of their final games to be guaranteed a third-place finish, Guardiola did start Zabaleta in the Manchester derby and should have enough faith in the Argentine to give him one last start at the Etihad, even if he has been far from first choice this season.

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Other than that, the City boss may name an unchanged line-up from the weekend. That would mean Jesus starting up front instead of Aguero, though the Brazilian did struggle against Leicester, despite scoring from the penalty spot.

Vincent Kompany has started the last six games and, fitness permitting, should reprise his partnership with Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the defence.

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WEST BROM TEAM NEWS


West Brom have won just one of their last 10 games — since they reached the 40-point mark — and are winless in their last seven outings. 

Tony Pulis' side did earn a goalless draw at Old Trafford in that run, and although they put up something of a fight against Chelsea on Friday night, there is an overwhelming sense that they have accomplished their mission for the season and, in fact, they have failed to score in six of their last seven games.

The Baggies' biggest injury concern is Gareth McAuley, who limped off during that 1-0 defeat to Chelsea. That was just the third time this season that the 37-year-old has not completed the 90 minutes in the Premier League.

Matthew Phillips suffered a hamstring injury at the end of April and is doubtful for this match.

Tony PulisGetty Images West Brom Swansea Rondon

BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS


  • Manchester City have won each of their last 10 Premier League fixtures against West Brom, their second longest winning run against an opponent (12 vs Newcastle, 2009-2015).

  • By contrast, the only team West Brom have lost more successive Premier League games to are Chelsea (11, 2002-2011).

  • Sergio Aguero has scored four goals and assisted another two in his four previous home Premier League games against West Brom.

  • Gabriel Jesus has been directly involved in seven goals in six Premier League starts (scoring five and assisting two).

  • Kevin De Bruyne has provided 15 assists in the Premier League this season, the joint-most by a Manchester City player in a single season (David Silva in 2011-12).


TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME


The game kicks off at 20:00 UK time on Tuesday, May 16, and is available on Sky Sports 1 in the UK.

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