West Ham host Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday, knowing that the threat of relegation is still hanging over their heads with just four games of the season remaining.
The Hammers lost 4-1 away at Arsenal last weekend, although the game itself was much closer, however they still managed to concede three goals in the final ten minutes of the game. That defeat left them six points off the bottom three, with 12 points still up for grabs. Despite their heavy defeat last week, Marko Arnautovic found the back of the net again, to make his record stand at 10 goals in his last 16 Premier League appearances. His recent form saw him crowned as Hammer of the Year at West Ham’s annual awards ceremony which was held earlier this week. West Ham face a daunting run-in, as after Sunday, they still have games against Leicester, Manchester United and Everton to play.
Manchester City did West Ham a favour last weekend as they thrashed Swansea 5-0, but they’re unlikely to be as helpful again this week. They’re chasing down a number of Premier League records, including the most goals scored by a team in a season, the highest points total and most wins in a season. They’ve already wrapped up the league title, but that won’t stop Pep Guardiola’s side from being ruthless as they look to build towards next season.
West Ham vs. Manchester City Predictions
It’ll be a big surprise if West Ham come out of this game with anything but a loss. It’s a free swing for the Hammers, but their track record against City in recent years has been terrible. Expect City to win this by a big margin.
West Ham vs. Manchester City Betting Tips
- West Ham to win: 9/1
- Draw: 9/2
- Manchester City to win: 4/13
- City to win 4-0: 13/1
- Kevin de Bruyne to score two or more goals: 12/1
Head to Head
- West Ham have lost their two previous matches against Manchester City at the London Stadium by an aggregate score of 0-9 (0-5 in the FA Cup in January 2017, 0-4 in Premier League in February 2017).
- Manchester City have won all four matches against the Hammers under Pep Guardiola in all competitions.
- The Hammers have lost only one of their last seven Premier League home games (W3 D3), losing 0-3 against Burnley last month.
- Man City have won their last two league games played in London, beating Arsenal and Tottenham respectively. They’ve not won three consecutive top-flight games in the capital since January 1955 (2 wins vs. Chelsea, 1 vs. Arsenal).
- The Citizens have scored 98 Premier League goals this season. Only three team have reached 100 goals in a single season in the competition’s history (Chelsea 103 in 2009/10, Man City 102 in 2013/14 and Liverpool 101 in 2013/14). Indeed, if they score their 100th in this game, it will be the fastest a team has reached 100 top-flight goals in a season (35 games) since Everton in 1931/32 (32 games).
- The Citizens are also one win away from equaling Chelsea’s record of 30 wins in a single Premier League campaign, which the Blues set last season.
- It will be the third time West Ham have faced a team who have already been crowned champions in that Premier League campaign. They lost to Manchester United on the final day of 1996/97 and also won at Old Trafford, thanks to a Carlos Tevez goal in May 2007.
- David Moyes lost just six of his 22 Premier League matches against Manchester City as Everton boss (W12 D4). Since leaving the Toffees, he has lost all five.
- David Silva has scored four and assisted two goals in his six away matches against West Ham for MAn City in all competitions, scoring in both matches at London Stadium.
- Both David Silva and Leroy Sane have scored nine Premier League goals this season, with three other City players having already scored over 10. The last team to have four players reach double figures for goals in a single Premier League campaign were Arsenal in 2012/13, while no side has ever had five players do so in the competition.
West Ham Team News
James Collins could return to the starting line-up after recovering from a thigh injury. However, Pedro Obiang, Michail Antonio, Winston Reid and Sam Byram are all out of Sunday’s game and quite possible until the end of the season.
Probable West Ham XI: Joe Hart, Declan Rice, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Pablo Zabaleta, Cheikhou Kouyate, Mark Noble, Arthur Masuaku, Edimilson Fernandes, Joao Mario, Marko Arnautovic
Manchester City Team News
Benjamin Mendy could push for a start, after returning from injury and making a first appearance since September as City beat Swansea 5-0 last weekend. Fernandinho also returns after serving a two-game suspension, but John Stones and Sergio Aguero both miss out with groin and knee injuries respectively.
Probable Manchester City XI: Ederson Moraes, Danilo, Vincent Kompany, Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus