West Brom vs. Manchester City: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Manchester City will try to continue their hot streak on Boxing Day, when they visit struggling West Bromwich Albion in Week 18 of Premier League action.

West Brom have won just one of their last seven matches, losing five during the same stretch, and Alan Irvine's men currently sit just two points above the relegation zone.

Last year's champions have won eight straight across all competitions and anything but three points will be considered a failure on Friday.

Date: Friday, December 26

Time: 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET

Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich

TV info and live stream: The match will be available for broadcast via NBC's Extra Time (for U.S. viewers), with mobile coverage available via NBC Sports Live Extra.

Preview

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Manchester City overcame a difficult first half to beat Crystal Palace 3-0 in Week 19, as Manuel Pellegrini's squad found a way to cope with having to play without a natural striker.

David Silva used his experience from the Spanish national team to put in a fantastic performance, and Yaya Toure is starting to look more like the world-class midfielder who dominated the Premier League last season with every minute he plays.

As shared by IndySport, the duo will have to be at their best once again versus West Brom, as Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic won't be available for selection:

Manager Pellegrini added another name to the list, via Manchester Evening News' Stuart Brennan: captain Vincent Kompany.

For the hosts, Graham Dorrans, Boaz Myhill and Victor Anichebe all missed time from training this week.

Manager Alan Irvine is under real pressure following a string of poor results, and he didn't help his case during a post-match interview after the 3-2 loss against Queens Park Rangers:

As shared by BBC Sport's Jacqui Oatley, fans and pundits alike couldn't understand how the manager could claim his team deserved to win the match after giving up a two-goal lead, with Irvine admitting his team was not clinical enough and defended poorly:

A match against the defending champions is the last thing his side needs right now, but given the Citizens' injury concerns up front, perhaps the time for a massive upset is now.

Saido Berahino has been the star driving West Brom this season, and it's no wonder the team's slump coincides with a streak of nine matches in which the 21-year-old hasn't found the target. To upset City, the hosts will need their top forward to find the right gear again, and take advantage of Kompany's absence.

The visitors remain the favourites for the win, however, and rightfully so. City are just too deep and talented not to go into any match against an opponent not playing for the European slots as favourites, injuries or not. But on Friday, the busy schedule and injuries may just take their toll.

Final prediction: West Brom 1-1 Manchester City

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