Blues faithful will miss hero defender

Les Chapman.

PABLO Zabaleta will rightly get a hero's reception as he bids farewell to his adoring Manchester City fans at the Etihad Stadium tonight.

After news of his impending departure was announced over the weekend, it's been clear that he will be very much missed by the supporters.

He's such a committed player and always gives 100-per-cent to the cause - just look at how many stitches he's had in various wounds over the past nine years. Pablo is a lovely guy off the field and I've always got on great with him, while on the field he's so brave.

He's a massive team player and just one of the game's great professionals. No wonder the City fans have grown to love him so much.

He does have a terrific attitude, and he'll be missed in the dressing room. Pablo has always been one of the most popular lads around.

After Saturday's victory over Leicester - and well done to the referee for spotting Mahrez's double-kick penalty by the way - it's looking virtually guaranteed that City will finish top three.

That's really important as they will go straight into the Champions League groups if that does turn out that they finish third. If City win tonight against West Brom they'll be in a really strong position - two points clear of Liverpool with just a game left.

West Brom haven't really got much left to play for, but the importance of tonight's game will certainly not be lost on the City players.

The Baggies can be dangerous opponents, but City's flair players should have enough to unlock the door. If City can score one or two goals quite early that would help settle any nerves I guess, but either way I fancy Pep Guardiola's men strongly to win.