Manchester City host West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as Pep Guardiola’s side look to gather some momentum after a win last time out. Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui will be feeling the pressure as he hopes to bounce back from a disappointing 5-0 hammering at home to Liverpool.
By Matt Smith
West Ham have little success at City
The Hammers haven’t won at the Etihad since 2015, with City winning 12 of the 13 times they’ve faced each other in Manchester in the Premier League. The last three games between the two teams have seen Guardiola’s men secure 3-1 victories, with City winning the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign thanks to an Erling Haaland hat-trick.
Dias yet to return
Guardiola has confirmed that Rúben Dias is ‘getting better’, but he’s set to be unavailable to face West Ham on the weekend. Ederson has returned to training, and the City boss hopes he will back soon.
It’s looking like City will have a similar squad against West Ham as they did versus Leicester last time out. Providing a small update on Rodri, Guardiola hopes that he will be ready at the end of the season.
Haaland back among the goals
Despite scoring 14 Premier League goals so far this season, Haaland hasn’t hit the heights expected of him in recent weeks. With the Norwegian being City’s only out-and-out striker, when he’s struggling to find the back of the net, Guardiola’s side find it difficult to pick up results.
His attacking numbers still look freakish, but before the win over Leicester City last time out, the former Borussia Dortmund man had scored just once in seven games. He was back among the goals last time out, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him scoring with ease in the coming weeks.
Star man Bowen on the treatment table
Julen Lopetegui has confirmed that it’s ‘not good news’ for Jarrod Bowen, who is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The Hammers will now be without their captain for the trip to the Etihad Stadium.
Elsewhere, Tomáš Souček and Guido Rodríguez are back in contention after suspension, but Łukasz Fabiański will be unavailable.
Time for Füllkrug to step up
It’s been a disappointing start to life at West Ham for Niclas Füllkrug, but without their top goalscorer Bowen, he’s going to have to step up. Michail Antonio is also on the treatment table, meaning Füllkrug can make the centre-forward spot his own.
The German international hasn’t been given much of a chance to impress, but the Hammers are going to need someone to carry the burden left by Bowen. It could be his time to stamp his authority.
Prediction
Without Bowen, it’s difficult to see the Hammers getting a result at a place they notoriously struggle. Carrying on the trend, we’re going for a fourth 3-1 victory in a row for Manchester City.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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