MX23RW : Sunday, May 5 17:01:41| >> :120:28478:28478:

Slaven Bilic believes West Brom can shock Manchester City

The Baggies are 19th in the Premier League ahead of Tuesday's trip to the Etihad.

West Brom boss Slaven Bilic insists his struggling side can stun Manchester City.

Albion go to the Etihad on Tuesday night sitting second from bottom in the table with just one win in the Premier League.

They lost 2-1 at Newcastle on Saturday to increase the pressure on Bilic as they slipped three points from the safety line.

The Baggies have also conceded the most goals in the top flight this season – 25 – but Bilic believes this term's bizarre nature can give them confidence.

He said: "This season we have seen some strange results, which gives us hope. Who counted Fulham would get a point – not to mention they deserved a point – against Liverpool, or Burnley would beat Arsenal?

"There is always a chance. You have to count on a bit of luck, but even luck won't help you if you don't give your best. No matter what, you have to do your part.

"You're counting on them not having a great day and being sloppy. We're in more or less every game. No-one is having an easy game, but we have to turn those performances into results.

"We are disappointed and frustrated but the guys know we've played some good football and we can enter every game with a chance – smaller or bigger – to get something. We have to stay positive and have to believe.

"We have already played against Chelsea. We were 3-0 up at half-time and that is what can happen in football, but it's not going to happen if you're not going to force it.

"You're always looking for something, even if that something is confidence. We lost against Spurs and we came out frustrated we didn't get a point, but we gained a little bit of confidence."

Matheus Pereira is banned while Kyle Bartley (calf), Conor Townsend (knee), Sam Field (knee) and Hal Robson-Kanu (arm) are also out.

Charlie Austin has forced his way back into the squad in Robson-Kanu's absence and made his first top-fight appearance of the season on Saturday.

The striker almost joined Derby in the summer, but Bilic has welcomed his return.

He added: "In the last few weeks you noticed he is on fire in training and something opened with Hal reinjuring his wrist.

"Charlie deserves his chance and he put an effort in which lifted the whole team. He didn't score but he was very active."

ID:426506: cacheID:426506:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4134:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leicester City's James Maddison celebrates scoring against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on December 13, 2020
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Vardy, Maddison, Ward-Prowse
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
5.30pm
Auger-Aliassime
Rublev
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs341861067541360
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!