Prediction: West Ham vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City win 

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Dachbet

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

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, while West Ham might have made real history last season as they were crowned Europa Conference League champions, the Hammers certainly struggled with their domestic stability. Firmly at the heart of a shock relegation scrap and only just about limping their way over the finish line, it appeared that David Moyes had a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders. However, heading into September’s international break with a deserved 2-1 win away at top-flight returners Luton, the one-time Manchester United boss has seen his side come roaring back this time around. Laying down a real statement of intent last month as they landed back-to-back 3-1 victories against Chelsea and Brighton respectively, Moyes’ men should be relishing a return to Premier League action this weekend. Mustering 10 points from their opening four domestic appearances, the Hammers will be desperate to spring a heavyweight upset on Saturday afternoon.

Team News

Making a second-half debut away at Luton earlier in the month after securing a £38million move from Dutch giants Ajax, Mohamed Kudus could be handed a full Premier League start on Saturday afternoon.

Already notching three Premier League strikes, England international Jarrod Bowen will once again spearhead Moyes’ attack alongside Michail Antonio. Cementing his spot at the Hammers’ number-one this season, former PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola will start between the sticks here.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, heading into September’s international break with a routine 5-1 romp at home against Fulham, Manchester City find themselves enjoying yet another Premier League purple patch. Making major history back in June as they became the first English club since 1999 to be crowned treble champions, Pep Guardiola’s superstar squad will simply be looking to lay down another marker in east London. Winning each of their opening four Premier League appearances this season and the only top-flight club that can boast a 100% start to proceedings, the one-time Barcelona boss has certainly seen his side come flying out of the traps. Opening the 2023/24 campaign as they landed a 3-0 victory away at Burnley, it is no secret that the Sky Blues are tipped as a standout contender to make even more Premier League history this season. Already notching 11 strikes on their four-match winning run, City will be hoping to widen their buffer over the chasing pack here.

Team News

Bagging a second-half hat-trick against Fulham prior to the international break, attacking talisman Erling Haaland will spearhead Guardiola’s charge on Saturday afternoon.

Both still dealing with respective injury issues, Manchester City will travel to the London Stadium without Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones. However, making his full City debut against Fulham on September 2nd, summer arrival and Belgium international Jeremy Doku will be hoping to keep his spot here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on May 3rd, Manchester City picked up a 3-0 romp on home soil.
• Likewise, the defending Premier League champions are unbeaten in each of their last 14 top-flight meetings against Saturday’s hosts.
• Guardiola’s men have not suffered a single Premier League defeat in east London since way back in October 2014.
• The Hammers are unbeaten in each of their opening four Premier League appearances this season – a run that has seen them muster 10 points.
• Continuing on from last season, West Ham have lost just a pair of their previous 11 Premier League appearances on home soil.

Conclusion

While West Ham might have continued to shine prior to September’s international break, the Hammers will know that they face a heavyweight challenge here. With Manchester City winning each of their first four Premier League appearances, Guardiola’s men are also the only top-flight club that can boast a 100% start to the 2023/24 campaign. Likewise, along with landing a 3-0 romp when they welcomed Saturday’s hosts to the Etihad back on May 3rd, it should also be noted that the reigning Premier League champions have not suffered a single top-flight defeat at the London Stadium since October 2014.

Verdict: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Dachbet