Manchester City Match Preview

The only teams that West Ham United have lost to since they turned their form around in early January have been those who usually challenge for trophies. Unfortunately, they face another of those in the day’s late kick-off, as they play host to Manchester City, hoping to keep their current momentum going.

The Hammers are still in the relegation zone, but now they are there on goal difference only, following their win at Fulham ten days ago.

Who knows what state of mind Josep Guardiola’s side will be in ahead of a trip to Stratford? They may have dumped Newcastle United out of the Emirates FA Cup a week ago, but they have since lost the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie to Real Madrid in midweek and although they have the chance to turn that deficit around just three days after this encounter, they then have to prepare for next Sunday’s visit to Wembley, where they take on title rivals Arsenal in the Carabao Cup Final. That isn’t the only bit of hope that the fans might be able to cling to, even though the only two positive results that West Ham have picked up from City in Stratford were in the 2021/22 season, what they might not know is that Nuno Espírito Santo has a pretty good record when facing Guardiola on home turf, as he has beaten the Spaniard on four occasions with three different clubs during his Premier League career. Let’s hope that continues here.

The Irons are hoping to follow up their own success in the Emirates FA Cup; the win over fellow Premier League side Brentford on penalties and in so doing, pile more misery on Guardiola’s men, given that they could only pick up a point in their last top-flight fixture at home to struggling Nottingham Forest.

The Irons have had slightly more preparation time than the Citizens ahead of this game but to be fair neither have had much, given their recent hectic fixture schedule. Having said that, West Ham are still full of confidence after being on such a brilliant run of form and it has to be taken into account that Guardiola’s men had to travel back from Madrid in midweek.

Espírito Santo is likely to make changes for this match, as Mads Hermansen, Jean Clair Todibo and El Hadji Malick Diouf are set for a return to the starting line-up. Soungoutou Magassa and Freddie Potts could earn recalls, while Pablo Felipe could retain his place after returning from a calf injury against the Bees five days ago. Callum Wilson is in contention to start.

One player that will definitely miss the clash though, is winger Crysencio Summerville after he picked up a calf problem against Keith Andrews’ men, while Oliver Scarles and Adama Traoré will have to be assessed after sustaining minor injuries.

This is the third successive match involving the Irons that will be screened by TNT Sports. Kick-off is at 8pm and live coverage gets underway at 7pm. The referee is Michael Oliver.