Premier League preview: West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City

West Brom welcome Manchester City to The Hawthorns on Monday, hoping to kick-start a run of home form in the English Premier League.

The Baggies moved up to tenth with a second-consecutive away win on Wednesday – a 3-2 thriller over Newcastle – and boast the best away record outside of the top four and Liverpool.

But it is West Brom’s home form, having claimed just two wins in eight league games, against bottom-four sides that will most worry manager Roy Hodgson.

“Some of our performances at home, I think, have been very good ones, but they haven’t given us anything, so if we really want to stay nearer the middle than the bottom, then we need to start taking some points at home as well,” Hodgson said.

“I know Boxing Day against Manchester City might be a tough place to start, but we have got a lot of other teams to play at home who are in our ball-park who hopefully we can get some points from.”

West Brom have conceded a penalty in their last four home matches, a trend they will surely want to avoid if they are to trouble Manchester City – a side they have beaten in four of their last five home meetings.

City, meanwhile, put their exit from the Champions League and loss to Chelsea behind them with three crucial points against Arsenal and an emphatic 3-0 win over Stoke at Etihad Stadium.

Argentine Sergio Aguero scored twice on Wednesday against Stoke, taking his season tally to 13 in the Premier League – the best of any City player.

Edin Dzeko is City’s main injury concern, with the Bosnian striker forced to miss Wednesday’s win over Stoke after suffering an ankle knock in training. Defender Micah Richards should shake off the calf injury he sustained in a clash with Potters midfielder Dean Whitehead.

Hodgson has a few injury concerns of his own. Midfielder James Morrison is carrying a hamstring injury and may be forced out again after missing his side’s win at Newcastle on Wednesday.

Full-back Steven Reid (ankle), midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu (groin) and winger Jerome Thomas (ankle) also suffered knocks at St James’ Park and will face fitness tests.