West Ham United will host Manchester City at the London Stadium on Saturday, looking to pick up a morale-boosting victory at home.
West Ham United bounced back from the defeat to Aston Villa with an impressive win over Crystal Palace last week, with Manchester City up next at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Hammers managed to pick up a narrow win over Bournemouth earlier this week in the League Cup second round as well. The Hammers will be reasonably confident heading into this game, and they will look to produce a strong performance at home.
On the other hand, Manchester City have started the 2024/25 Premier League season well, and they will look to defend their crown for the fourth successive campaign. The reigning champions should be winning these games if they want to win the league title, and they will be the favourites heading into this contest.
Manchester City have picked up comfortable victories over Chelsea and Ipswich Town in their two league outings thus far, and it remains to be seen whether they can grind out another positive result versus West Ham. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two side.
Team News & Tactics
West Ham United
Aaron Cresswell is the only injury worry for the home side. The veteran defender will miss out with a thigh injury here. West Ham United will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Manchester City, with Alphonse Areola in goal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson Palmieri will start as the full-backs. They will look to nullify the wide threat from Manchester City and help out during counter-attacking situations. Max Kilman will start alongside Jean-Clair Todibo at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Guido Rodriguez will start alongside Edson Alvarez in the double pivot. They will look to break up opposition attacks and win the ball back for their side. Mohammed Kudus will start in the central attacking midfield role, and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities and get on the score sheet.
Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta will start in the wide areas. They will look to add creativity and goals from the flanks. Finally, Niclas Fullkrug will lead the line for the West Ham against Manchester City this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Todibo, Emerson; Rodriguez, Alvarez; Bowen, Kudus, Paqueta; Fullkrug
Manchester City
Oscar Bobb is ruled out with a broken leg. Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Phil Foden is unwell. Manchester City will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against West Ham United, with Ederson Moraes in goal.
Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol will be deployed as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Manuel Akanji will start in the heart of the defence alongside Ruben Dias.
In the midfield unit, Bernardo Silva should feature alongside Rodri in the double pivot. The Spanish international will look to protect the back four and break up opposition attacks. Meanwhile, Silva will look to add creativity and control to the side.
Kevin De Bruyne will be deployed in the attacking midfield role, and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities in the final third. Savinho and Jeremy Doku will be deployed in the wide areas, with Erling Haaland leading the line for the away team.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Silva, Rodri; Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland
Key Stats
- Manchester City have won 17 of their last 20 matches against West Ham United in all competitions.
- Manchester City have won their last 11 matches in the Premier League.
- Manchester City have won with at least a 2 goal margin in their last 11 matches in the Premier League.
- 20 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
- Four of the last six matches between these two teams have seen both teams get on the scoresheet.
Player to Watch
Erling Haaland
The Manchester City talisman is our key player to watch out for. He has been in phenomenal form this season, scoring four goals in two league games. Haaland will look to punish the West Ham United defence with his clinical finishing and presence in final third.
West Ham United will have to contain him if they want to get something out of this contest. Meanwhile, Manchester City will hope that he can continue his red-hot form and help them grind out all three points.
Prediction
West Ham United 1-2 Manchester City
Manchester City are undoubtedly the better team here, and they will be expected to pick up all three points. West Ham have shown improvement in the last two games after their defeat in the opening game of the season.
However, the gulf in class between the two sides could see the visitors come out on top here. This is likely to be a close contest, but Manchester City should be able to grind out a narrow win. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for Pep Guardiola and his charges.
