Verdict: Manchester City to win both halves
Best Odds: 13/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Turning their attention back to Premier League duties on Saturday afternoon, Manchester City will welcome West Ham to the Etihad.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, despite relinquishing their Premier League crown last season as they signed off the 2024/25 campaign without a single piece of silverware to show for their troubles, Pep Guardiola’s men are enjoying another real purple patch. Extending on their EFL Cup charge earlier in the week as they secured a routine 2-0 win at home against Brentford, the former Barcelona boss finds his superstar squad sat just two points adrift of climbing to the top of the Premier League standings. Last seen in top-flight action securing an eye-catching 3-0 romp away at Crystal Palace, City have won all of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Making a major Champions League statement on December 10th as they secured a thrilling 2-1 victory against Real Madrid, Saturday’s hosts have certainly been handed a golden opportunity this weekend.
Manchester City Team News
Cutting a frustrated figure after limping off with a first-half knock against Brentford in midweek, Norwegian international Oscar Bobb is expected to miss out here. Likewise, suffering his own respective injury setback last month, midfield talisman Rodri remains on the sidelines and will play no part here.
Continuing to shatter a string of records this season and already bagging an astonishing 17 goals in his first 16 Premier League appearances, Erling Haaland will certainly be handed a full recall. Likewise, completing a famous Deadline Day switch from PSG, Italian skipper Gianluigi Donnarumma will replace James Trafford between the sticks.
West Ham
As for the visitors, throwing away the lead twice last weekend and suffering more frustration in east London as they eventually fell to a 3-2 loss against a high-flying Aston Villa, West Ham find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap. Opening Saturday’s trip to the Etihad sat three points adrift of top-flight safety, Nuno Espírito Santo is more than aware that he has a major job on his hands at the London Stadium. Signing off November with a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool and without a win from any of their previous five consecutive Premier League appearances, the Hammers have also gained a reputation for their glaring defensive struggles. Shipping 32 top-flight strikes so far this season, West Ham hold the third-worst defensive return among England’s elite.
West Ham Team News
Both leaving for the 2026 AFCON, West Ham will be unable to call upon the defensive duo of El Hadji Diouf and former Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Recently returning from a shoulder issue, academy graduate Oliver Scarles could make a first appearance since the end of October.
Reportedly making it clear that he wants to force a January move away from the London Stadium, Germany international Niclas Füllkrug is not expected to feature at the Etihad this weekend. Bagging a consolation strike against Aston Villa last weekend, skipper Jarrod Bowen will play a leading role in the final third.
Manchester City vs West Ham Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester City last welcomed West Ham to the Etihad back in January, Saturday’s hosts stormed their way to a 4-1 victory.
- Guardiola’s men have won all of their previous six consecutive Premier League showdowns against the Hammers.
- The Sky Blues have also registered 18 goals in those six consecutive victories.
- West Ham have lost all of their last nine consecutive trips to the Etihad.
- The Hammers have recorded just a sole victory in the blue half of Manchester since way back in March 2006.
Conclusion
Two sides who are firmly scrapping it out at opposite ends of the Premier League standings, it is no surprise that Manchester City are installed as a landslide favourite here. Winning all of their previous six appearances across all competitions, Guardiola’s men sit within touching distance of climbing to the top of the table. Landing a routine 4-1 romp when they last met the Hammers back in January, it is hard to see anything other than a similar outcome from the Etihad this weekend.
Verdict: Manchester City to win both halves
Best Odds: 13/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
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