West Ham United will be a buoyant and a pumped up outfit as they welcome Manchester City to the London Stadium in the midweek round of fixtures. The Hammers have recovered after a horrendous run of results which saw them hover above and around and for a while in the relegation zone and will be extremely relieved to have gotten away from the dreary feeling of the bottom 3 places.
They have won 5 of their last 7 matches in the league and will be a confident side when City come calling. Slaven Bilic and his boys have unfinished business against them and in the two matches they have played so far this season, the aggregate is an overwhelming 8-1 in favour of the Sky Blues.
City will hope they have Sergio Aguero fit who has been lethal against them over the years. In the Premier League, Aguero has six goals and two assists in nine appearances against the Hammers and will be looking to increase his tally.
West Ham have been boosted by the arrivals of Jose Fonte and Robert Snodgrass in the last few days and will look to include them in the squad. Dimitri Payet has made an unceremonious exit and the Hammers will hope, something good comes out of the whole episode.
The Hammers have a number of players rated doubtful but they are likely to get back to fitness.
PREDICTED WEST HAM UNITED XI VS MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Randolph will be in goal and he has to come prepared to expect to face a barrage of shots as the West Ham keepers know already from their experience this and the past few seasons. At right-back, we are likely to see Byram, although he has to play out his skin to restrict the likes of Silva and De Bruyne. Winston Reid will be in defence and will be partnered by Jose Fonte, the former Southampton captain, who will look to help his side to a win. On the left, it will be Creswell and he will look to push out and keep Sterling and Zabaleta occupied.
MIDFIELD
In midfield, we are likely to see Noble and Obiang line-up in the double pivot and the duo has to be on their toes to thwart City’s intricate midfield play. The battle in the centre of the park will be crucial in determining which team has the edge. Lanzini might come into a central role and will be looking to unlock a leaky Manchester City defence!
ATTACK
Robert Snodgrass will look to get fit and will line-up on the left-flank with the marauding Antonio on the right-flank. Andy Carroll will be leading the line.
