The best (soccer) league in the world returns for the 2015-16 season featuring top-flight competition in England. Contenders Manchester City open their season with a matchup against a team they’ve dominated in recent years, West Bromwich Albion. But West Brom made a couple of signings (and are still at it) in the summer transfer window to prove they’re no pushovers.
Will Man City continue the domination? Or will West Brom pull off a gigantic upset? Read on for everything you need to know ahead of this matchup. You must be craving for your fix of soccer action. Don’t fret; check out the complete previews for Chelsea vs. Swansea and Manchester United vs. Tottenham.
[sc:Soccer ]West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester City Preview
Where: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, UK
When: Monday, August 10, 3:00 PM ET
Line: West Bromwich Albion +445 vs. Manchester City -188, tie +265; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
Betting on West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion had an uninspiring 2014-15 campaign, going 11-11-16 en route to a 13th placed finish. The Baggies had one of the worst offenses last season, scoring just 38 goals (17th in the league). West Brom are making sure they get to resolve that issue in the summer transfer window as they close in on former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Bakary Sako.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Sako had a fruitful season with the Wolves last season, scoring 15 goals and assisting in seven others in 41 appearances in the Championship. Should West Brom acquire the Malian winger, they’ll have a dynamic threat in midfield playing behind last season’s leading scorer in striker Saido Berahino (14 goals).
Recent signee winger James McClean gives the Baggies another talented player to tighten up their midfield. McClean scored 11 goals in 87 appearances for Wigan; he was voted Wigan F.C.’s player of the year last season as the Latics were relegated to League One. He’ll have a chance to shine on the big stage as he makes his return to top-flight competition.
Bolstering their roster with Sako and McClean should give West Brom plenty of ammunition to test Manchester City’s midfield led by Yaya Toure. The Ivorian legend looked a step too slow last season in the Citizens’ failed defense of their 2013-14 Premier League championship. Sako and McClean should be able to inject some life in the West Brom attack if they manage to stay a step ahead of Man City’s midfield.
West Brom have lost seven straight Premier League fixtures to Man City as they were outscored 19-5.
Betting on Manchester City
Manchester City may be beaming after their big catches in the summer transfer market. The Citizens managed to sign highly-touted striker Raheem Sterling from Liverpool and midfielder Fabian Delph thus far. Sterling had some success with Liverpool last season with seven goals and seven assists. His playmaking will be a huge help to a City team which features plenty of talent on the attack.
Sergio Aguero was last season’s most devastating forward finishing with 26 goals, the most in the Premier League. Having Aguero threatening opposing defenses opens up plenty of scoring options for the Citizens. Midfielder David Silva scored the second-most goals among the Citizens with 12.
Of course, City’s offense wouldn’t be as effective without their midfield general in Yaya Toure. He was the lifeblood of Man City in their two title-winning seasons with his dynamism. Toure was at his best in the 2013-14 season, scoring a team-high 20 goals and assisting in nine others as Aguero sat out for stretches due to injury. But Toure seems to be a step too slow now at age 32. He scored just 10 goals and had one assist last season.
Manchester City have won their last four season openers.
Writer’s Prediction
West Brom can’t contain Aguero. The Argentinian scores a brace as the Citizens trounce their hosts 3-0. Create a betting account now and get in on the biggest soccer action in the world.
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