Pepe Mel hopes West Bromwich Albion can cause problems for Manchester City

Pepe Mel has said that he wants West Bromwich Albion to cause "defensive problems" for Manchester City in their Premier League match this evening.

A win for the Baggies would leave them six points clear of the relegation zone, while Manuel Pellegrini's side will be hoping to cut the nine-point gap between themselves and league leaders Liverpool.

The West Brom manager told the club's website: "The bad thing about the Sunderland game is that it might serve as a warning for them and perhaps they might come out even stronger.

"But the good thing is it shows we can go out and win. The most important thing is for City to think they could well win the game and this is why we have to cause them some defensive problems.

"This is why the players must really believe that we can win. Of course, playing against players like Silva, Dzeko, Nasri, Navas and Negredo, we must also be strong defensively."

City have won just one of their last three games in the Premier League.