Guardiola should give these 3 Man City stars a chance against West Brom

Manchester City will look to record a third straight Premier League victory when they host out-of-form West Brom this evening (8pm kick-off).

Pep Guardiola’s side remain in a good position to secure a top four finish in the Spaniard’s first season in charge, given that they are three points ahead of fifth place Arsenal with just two games of the campaign remaining.

However, Guardiola and his men will know that they need to win their final two matches to be absolutely certain of Champions League football next term, starting tonight against Tony Pulis’ West Brom.

The Baggies have been on a woeful run in recent weeks, losing five of their last six matches and winning just once since the end of February, and it’s a run of form which has thrown into jeopardy their place in the top half of the table.

The Midlands outfit are now level on points with ninth place Southampton and tenth place Bournemouth, and could really do with finishing the season strongly to secure a first top ten finish since 2013.

Nonetheless, Guardiola’s City will be strong favourites to record a 22nd win of the campaign this evening, although the Spaniard may make some changes ahead of their final home game of the season.

Thus, here are THREE Man City stars who deserve a chance against West Brom…

Pablo Zabaleta

This evening’s game will be Pablo Zabaleta’s last at the Etihad Stadium as a City player after it was confirmed that he’ll be ending his nine-year association with the club in the summer.

And what better way for the fans of the club to say thank you to the 32-year-old stalwart than see him in action against the Baggies tonight.

Zabaleta has been a wonderful servant to the Citizens since his move there in 2008, playing over 300 times for the team and being a key part of two Premier League-winning sides.

He came on against Leicester on Saturday to suggest that he’s in Guardiola’s thinking, and may well get a fitting send-off against West Brom tonight.

Jesus Navas

Like Zabaleta, Tuesday night could be Jesus Navas’ last game for City at the Etihad after four years in the North West.

It’s fair to say that he hasn’t always lived up to expectation in Manchester but there have been the odd moments of brilliance from the Spain international, and he may well earn his 13th Premier League start of the season this evening.

The 31-year-old has at times looked a threat under Guardiola this term, be it as a natural winger or a wing-back, and with City having played on Saturday, the boss may look to shake things up this evening, and that could see Navas earn what is likely to be his final start at the Etihad for the club.

Sergio Aguero

Striker Gabriel Jesus may have netted against Leicester on Saturday but it was far from his best performance in a City shirt, and thus Sergio Aguero may be recalled to the starting line-up.

A lot has been made of Aguero’s future this term following the arrival of Jesus, but while the Brazil international was on the sidelines following the game at Bournemouth in February, 28-year-old Aguero proved his worth to Guardiola with 12 goals in 14 games.

Whether he remains at City beyond the summer very much remains to be seen, but should Guardiola want to change things in attack after struggling past Leicester on Saturday, Aguero could come in for his 24th Premier League start of the season against West Brom tonight.

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