West Ham vs Man City Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English Premier League
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Julen Lopetegui leads his West Ham United side into this one on the back of back-to-back victories after losing on the opening day against Aston Villa. They now face the dominant force of English football, though, as Manchester City arrive in the capital city.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 31st August, 2024 - UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – NBC
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – Universo, Fubo, Sling Blue or DirecTV Stream
WEST HAM PREVIEW: ISSUES IRONED OUT
The post-David Moyes era has seen Sporting Director Tim Steidten spend relatively heavily on Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham United squad and that could lead to some teething issues but the Hammers have seemingly put those concerns to bed for the time being after back-to-back victories ahead of this one.
After defeat at home to Aston Villa on the opening day of the campaign, the Irons then travelled to Selhurst Park for a London derby against Crystal Palace and produced a 2-0 victory with goals coming from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen before the latter then notched again in a 1-0 defeat of AFC Bournemouth.
MAN CITY PREVIEW: ALWAYS EVOLVING
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are looking to extend their record-breaking grip on the English top-flight title from four successive seasons to five this year and they have began very well in that pursuit after defeating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the campaign by two goals to nil.
Following up that comfortable win in the capital, City then hosted newly-promoted Ipswich Town in a game that saw the return of Ilkay Gundogan but they did fall behind early on to the Tractor Boys. However, a hat-trick from Erling Haaland as well as one from Kevin De Bruyne secured back-to-back victories to start the campaign.
WEST HAM TEAM NEWS: CRESSWELL INJURY
Julen Lopetegui has confirmed that experienced veteran defender Aaron Cresswell is now unavailable for this weekend’s clash and could miss a few games with a hamstring injury.
Despite that, though, the Irons have a strong squad for this weekend with no other issues but Mexico international Edson Alvarez returning from injury last week.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson; Rodriguez, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus; Fullkrug
UNAVAILABLE: Cresswell (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
MAN CITY TEAM NEWS: FODEN DOUBTS
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that last season's PFA Premier League Player of the Year, Phil Foden, still 'doesn't feel so good' so he is a major doubt for this weekend's trip to the capital.
Rodri could be back but has only started training on grass this week, whilst Mateo Kovacic is also a doubt for the Cityzens after picking up an injury against Ipswich Town last weekend. Oscar Bobb remains sidelined.
PREDICTED XI (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Lewis, Gundogan; Savio, De Bruyne, Silva, Doku; Haaland
UNAVAILABLE: Bobb (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Kovacic (Injured), Foden (Illness)
WEST HAM VS MAN CITY PREDICTION
Julen Lopetegui is a good coach and a part of the Basque group of coaches currently taking European football by storm. This is an extremely tough test, though. Manchester City have perhaps not quite clicked into top gear just yet with players returning late from international tournaments – yet they have already on a trophy this season and have begun with six goals scored and two wins in their opening Premier League games. It is always foolish to back against them.
WEST HAM VS MAN CITY TIP: MAN CITY TO WIN
