Manchester City's quest to ensure that they qualify for next season's Champions League will continue on Saturday evening when West Bromwich Albion make the trip to the Etihad Stadium.

While City have Europe on their mind, the visiting Baggies are on course to record their highest league finish since 2013.

Man City

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All of a sudden, a little bit of the gloom that has engulfed the Etihad Stadium of late appears to have lifted.

A 1-0 defeat to rivals Manchester United just before the international break had left City sweating on a top-four finish that had previously looked assured for so long.

However, while the battle is still very much on (City are just one point ahead of United), the last two performances have provided reasons to be cheerful.

A 4-0 victory in the sunshine down at Bournemouth brightened the mood, which was then followed by a useful-looking 2-2 draw in the first leg of their quarter-final tie away at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.

It is perhaps no coincidence that the upturn in results and displays have come at the same time that Kevin De Bruyne returned to action. The big-money summer signing had not played since January 27 because of a knee injury and he showed just what City had been missing by scoring in each of their last two outings.

In total, the Belgian playmaker has scored nine goals at the Etihad Stadium this season. Yet, while it has been a positive venue for De Bruyne, the same cannot be said for the team.

Ten victories have been collected in front of their own supporters, but the loss to United was the fifth inflicted at the Etihad - that is the same number as 19th-placed Newcastle United have suffered at home.

Shipping goals at home has also been issue, with the City net being breached 18 times - the likes of Sunderland and Watford have conceded fewer.

Recent form: WDDLWW

West Brom

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Reports have filtered through over the last few days that the West Brom hierarchy is preparing to offer manager Tony Pulis a new contract.

On the face of it, the 58-year-old has done a good job at The Hawthorns. The 0-0 draw away at Sunderland last time out saw the Baggies reach the coveted 40-point mark, with a respectable 10th-place finish very much on the cards.

Nevertheless, there are sections of the West Brom faithful that have not been shy in voicing their displeasure over recent months. Pulis's style of play and pragmatic approach to certain games has not gone down too well, which raised doubts over his long-term future at the club.

Indeed, the scrutiny grew during the clash against Sunderland when, for the seventh time this season, West Brom failed to register a single shot on target.

Scoring goals has been a problem for Pulis's side all campaign long. Only relegation certainties Aston Villa (22) have scored fewer goals than West Brom (30) - a tally that has come from 31 outings.

Part of the problem is down to the situation involving Saido Berahino, who has spent much of 2015-16 confined to the bench after a summer move to Tottenham Hotspur fell through. The frontman bagged 20 goals in all competitions last term, but has just seven to his name this time around.

However, speaking to the Express & Star, the Englishman has set himself a target between now and the season's conclusion: "If I can get into double figures - I am on seven at the moment - it will be brilliant for me and a turnaround after all the things that have happened so it would be good."

Recent form: LWDWLD

Team News

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City boss Manuel Pellegrini sprung a surprise after the PSG clash when he announced that skipper Vincent Kompany may return from a calf strain in time for next week's second leg.

It is likely that this particular encounter will come too soon for the centre-back, though.

In more positive news, Yaya Toure should shake off a shin complaint to play, but Raheem Sterling will remain sidelined with a groin injury.

Full-backs Aleksandar Kolarov and Pablo Zabaleta were on the bench in Paris, with the duo tipped to return to the side.

Chris Brunt is a long-term absentee for the Baggies, but both James Morrison and Callum McManaman could shake off hamstring and foot injuries respectively to take their places in the squad.

Man City possible starting lineup:
Hart; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov; Fernando, Toure; Navas, Silva, De Bruyne; Aguero

West Brom possible starting lineup:
Foster; Dawson, Chester, Evans, McAuley; Yacob, Fletcher, Gardner, McClean; Rondon, Berahino

Head To Head

This is a fixture that has of late been dominated by City, who are unbeaten in the last 11 meetings (10 wins).

One of those victories came on the opening day of this season when goals from Toure, Kompany and David Silva sealed a 3-0 triumph.

West Brom have never won at the Etihad, with their last victory away at City coming at Maine Road in February 2003.

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We say: Man City 2-0 West Brom

West Brom are likely to make it difficult - such is their nature - but City have every reason to be buoyed by recent displays. Providing that their big hitters are on form, they should have too much quality for the away side.

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