Manchester City must be on seventh heaven after they won against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final as they successfully defended their title. Having won the first major trophy of the season, the Citizens will be looking to keep their juggernaut rolling in the Premier League as well when they take on West Ham United in their next encounter.
The Hammers, on the other hand, will look to keep their winning run intact in the Premier League. Their last encounter saw them dominate the proceedings against Fulham, but it would be a really difficult task against the reigning Premier League champions.
Team News
Manchester City
The Citizens should be worried about the fact that their cup win took a massive toll on their key players. Fernandinho and Aymeric Laporte are set to miss the action for a few weeks after they picked up injuries in the cup final.
John Stones and Benjamin Mendy are also recovering from their respective injuries and would be assessed before the match against West Ham.
West Ham United
The former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has long term absentees in the ranks including the likes of Andriy Yarmolenko, Jack Wilshere, Carlos Sanchez and Winston Reid. However, the return of midfield ace Manuel Lanzini to action in the last match against Fulham should be a significant boost for him ahead of the crucial game against his former club.
Defender Fabian Balbuena is also recovering from an injury and might be assessed before the match.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester City
Ederson, Kyle Walker, Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi, Fabian Delph, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero.
West Ham United
Lukasz Fabianski, Pablo Zabaleta, Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Declan Rice, Mark Noble, Felipe Anderson, Robert Snodgrass, Manuel Lanzini, Marko Arnautovic.
Key Men
Manchester City
In the absence of Fernandinho, who is a crucial component in the midfield for the Citizens, Gundogan will have to be alert and agile as he is expected to start in the Brazilian’s place. The likes of Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero would all have to dish out strong performances to steer their side to an important victory against the resilient Hammers.
West Ham United
Declan Rice will be a key player in the central midfield position for the east London club as he has been all through this season. Marko Arnautovic will need to lead the line with absolute precision and put his scoring shoes on if West Ham United are to have any chance of pulling off an upset at the Etihad Stadium.
Odds
Manchester City Win: 1.16
Draw: 9.00
West Ham United Win: 19.00
