Prediction: West Ham vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City to score in both halves

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to extend on their 100% start, Manchester City will travel to the London Stadium on Saturday evening when they meet West Ham.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, eventually falling short in the race to book another European finish last season, West Ham are getting a new era underway at the London Stadium. Although Julen Lopetegui’s men might have opened proceedings with a 2-1 defeat at home against Aston Villa earlier in the month, the former Wolves boss has seen his new squad come bouncing back. Extending on their EFL Cup adventure in midweek after snatching a controversial late 1-0 victory against Bournemouth, West Ham should be relishing a heavyweight challenge here. However, pencilled in as a landslide underdog in east London, Saturday’s hosts will be concerned by a nightmare record against the defending champions. Including a 3-1 loss when they met Manchester City back on May 19th, they have lost all of their previous four showdowns by an aggregate score of 11-2.

Team News

Heading into Saturday’s showdown at the London Stadium, West Ham have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns to worry about. Enduring what was a difficult maiden start against Bournemouth on Wednesday night, summer recruit Jean-Clair Todibo will likely have to settle for a spot on the bench in east London.

Returning from a summer hamstring injury, Mexico international Edson Alvarez could make a first Premier League start of the season. Notching back-to-back strikes across all competitions over the past week, skipper Jarrod Bowen will play a leading role in the final third.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, while Manchester City might have relinquished their maiden European crown last season, the Sky Blues made even more domestic history. Becoming the first club in English history to claim four consecutive Premier League titles, Pep Guardiola’s men have once again come flying out of the traps. Opening proceedings with a rugged 2-0 victory away at Chelsea, the former Barcelona boss finds his squad pencilled in as a leading title contender this time around. Mounting a comeback at home against top-flight returners Ipswich last weekend as they secured a 4-1 romp, Man City will simply be looking to make another statement here. Simply continuing on from where they left off back in May, the Sky Blues have won each of their last 11 straight Premier League appearances.

Team News

In what could prove to be a real boost for Manchester City this weekend, midfield talisman Rodri looks set to return to Guardiola’s squad here. However, suffering a broken leg earlier in the month, the Sky Blues have already confirmed that Oscar Bobb will not feature over the next few months.

Bagging a hat-trick against Ipswich last weekend and already registering four goals from his opening two Premier League appearances, the record-breaking Erling Haaland will lead City’s charge in the capital. Returning to the Etihad this summer, Ilkay Gundogan could make a first top-flight start here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When West Ham and Manchester City met back on May 19th, the Sky Blues collected a 3-1 romp at the Etihad.
• City have won each of their previous four meetings against the Hammers by an aggregate score of 11-2.
• Guardiola’s men are unbeaten in all of their previous 17 consecutive Premier League showdowns against West Ham.
• Six of the last eight Premier League meetings between West Ham and Manchester City have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Including a hat-trick against Ipswich last weekend, Erling Haaland has registered four goals in his opening two Premier League appearances.

Conclusion

Flying out of the traps since opening up the new campaign, Manchester City will be looking to extend on their 100% start here. Now winning all of their previous 11 Premier League appearances continuing on from last season, the Sky Blues will also be excited by a dominant record against Saturday’s hosts. Winning all of their previous four meetings by an aggregate score of 11-2, Guardiola’s men are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide contender in east London.

Verdict: Manchester City to score in both halves

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Olympusbet