Prediction: Manchester City vs West Ham

Verdict: Manchester City win & under five goals

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to make it 20 wins on the bounce this weekend, Manchester City will welcome a high-flying West Ham to the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, putting in another professional display earlier in the week, Manchester City have only continued on a remarkable run of form. Landing themselves a 2-0 victory away at German outfit Borussia Mönchengladbach while on Champions League duties in midweek, Pep Guardiola’s side have a famous treble-winning season on their agenda. Making a string of changes since that 2-0 defeat away at Tottenham back in November, the former Bayern Munich boss now finds his side already holding a double-digit lead at the top of the Premier League table. Comfortably sat in pole position to reclaim their domestic crown this season, the Sky Blues have won each of their last 19 straight matchups across all formats and have shown no side of slowing down. Already picking themselves up thumping wins against the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool over the past month, Guardiola’s side have also gained plenty of plaudits for their recent displays at the back. Recording another clean sheet in Germany on Wednesday night, City have conceded just four goals since January 3rd.

Team News

Aside from defender Nathan Ake who is still dealing with a muscular problem, Pep Guardiola has a full squad to choose from on Saturday lunchtime.

Striker Sergio Aguero could make his first Premier League appearance since 3 January, and only his sixth all season.

West Ham

As for the visitors, while Manchester City might be enjoying their own rampant run of form, there is no doubt that West Ham have continued to shock many across the country. Although the Hammers might have only just about hung onto their Premier League status last summer, David Moyes’ men have transformed into a genuine European contender. With many tipping the one-time Manchester United boss as a leading candidate for the Manager of the Year award, the Londoners open this weekend sat fourth in the table and occupying that final Champions League spot. Although they might have seen their FA Cup run come to an end away at Old Trafford earlier in the month, West Ham have collected 10 points from their last four top-flight matchups. In fact, with just a single Premier League defeat to their name since December 21st, the Hammers will also be boosted by a hugely impressive performance last weekend. Picking up a 2-1 victory against bitter rivals Tottenham on home soil, it should also be noted that Saturday’s guests are unbeaten in their last five straight top-flight contests on the road.

Team News

West Ham full-back Ryan Fredericks is a fitness doubt for Saturday because of a groin injury.

Andriy Yarmolenko, Angelo Ogbonna and Arthur Masuaku all remain unavailable for the Hammers.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off in the reverse fixture back in October, Saturday’s opponents played out a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.
• Manchester City have remarkably won each of their last 19 straight matchups across all formats.
• The Sky Blues have also conceded just four goals in each of their last 15 matchups across all competitions.
• West Ham have collected 10 points from their last four Premier League contests and have lost just one of their previous 11 top-flight matchups.
• The Hammers are also unbeaten in their last five Premier League matchups on the road.

Conclusion

While West Ham might have shocked almost everyone across the Premier League this season, the Hammers certainly face an overwhelming test on paper at the Etihad. Although David Moyes’ side might have a stunning European finish at the top of their agenda, Manchester City are enjoying what has quickly become a record-breaking purple patch. Picking themselves up a deserved 2-0 victory away at Borussia Mönchengladbach while on Champions League duties in midweek, the Sky Blues have remarkably won each of their last 19 straight matchups across all formats. Already holding a 10-point buffer at the top of the table, we’re backing Pep Guardiola’s men to have too much firepower this weekend.

Verdict: Manchester City win & under five goals

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Unibet