Prediction: Correct Score – Manchester City 4-0
Odds: 8/1
Bookmaker: Bet365
Manchester City will be aiming to consolidate second position in the Premier League table as they take on a woefully out of form West Ham United side at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The title looks all but gone for Guardiola’s troops and a win ahead of their winter break could be a positive as they switch their attentions to sealing the runners-up spot. Elsehwhere, the Hammers have been awful as of late and time seems to be running out on their task to remain in the Premier League.
Manchester City
Following the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur a week ago, the Citizens are now sitting 22 points behind league leaders Liverpool. Their loss to Spurs was already the sixth of the 2019/20 Premier League season – as many as they have had in the previous two seasons combined. As a matter of fact, they have lost their last two matches in all competitions following their slender 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg at the Etihad Stadium. They have not lost three consecutive matches under current boss Pep Guardiola since April 2018. One aspect that will as always give them confidence heading into the match is their form at the Etihad. Only runaway leaders Liverpool and Leicester City have accumulated more than Manchester City’s 26 points on home soil this season. They will hope to take that form into what should potentially be a straightforward game against relegation-threatened West Ham.
Team News
One of the main headlines coming out of the Manchester City dressing room is the absence of Raheem Sterling who is set to be out with a thigh injury. He joins Leroy Sane and Oleksandr Zinchenko on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Benjamin Mendy and Aymeric Laporte are set to be subjected to late fitness tests.
West Ham United
David Moyes has really not had the desired impact at the London Stadium second time around. In his six Premier League matches in charge, the Scot has only tasted victory on one occasion and even that came in his first match in charge. They are now five matches without a win in league play and even got knocked out of the FA Cup by high-flying Championship side West Bromwich Albion. Having said that, their horrendous run of form extends before the return of Moyes. Since the start of October, the Hammers have only won three Premier League games, a huge reason behind why they now sit in the relegation zone and one point from safety. It will be a huge task to get their season back on track at the Etihad considering their extremely porous defence. The Hammers have, alongside rock bottom Norwich, the worst defence in the Premier League having shipped 47 goals in 25 games. They have not managed to keep a single clean sheet since Moyes’ first game in charge and that record looks unlikely to be ended considering they come up against the most prolific side in the English top-flight this weekend.
Team News
Long-term absentees Jack Wilshere and Andriy Yarmolenko are both still missing for the Hammers, whilst forward Felipe Anderson is also a doubt due to a chest injury.
Key Facts To Consider
- Manchester City have the far better head to head record between the two sides (W57, D17, L37)
- City won the last game between the two 5-0 on the opening day of the season
- West Ham have not beaten City at the Etihad since a 2-1 win in September 2015
- The Citizens have scored 13 goals against the Hammers without reply
- David Moyes has not beaten Manchester City with his last three Premier League clubs (West Ham United, Sunderland, Manchester United)
Conclusion
On paper, this should be an easy Manchester City win. On the pitch, that should be exactly what happens, too. The Citizens’ razor sharp defence will be too much for the struggling Hammers to cope with. We could expect another emphatic scoreline from the Etihad Stadium.
Prediction: Correct Score – Manchester City 4-0
Odds: 8/1
Bookmaker: Bet365
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