West Ham United welcome Manchester City to the London Stadium for the first of this weekend’s Super Sunday games.
West Ham know that victory could move them closer towards safety whilst Man City seek to break records for most goals and points in a title winning season.
Team news
Adrian will start in goal for West Ham because Joe Hart is ineligble against his parent club.
Manuel Lanzini is fit after overcoming a knee injury but captain, Mark Noble might miss out with a niggle.
Manchester City have Fernandinho available again after a two match ban and fullback, Benjamin Mendy could also feature.
John Stones is doubtful as he struggles with a groin injury whilst Sergio Aguero is ruled out for rest of season after a knee operation.
Form
West Ham have avoided defeat in three of last four games, drawing two and winning one.
Despite losing at Arsenal last time out, the Hammers have scored in all four matches since returning from international break with Marko Arnautovic netting three goals.
Man City meanwhile have lost just one of their last 11 league games, scoring 31 goals and conceding eight times.
Since returning to club action after the fortnight break last month, the Citizens have kept just one clean sheet compared to three consecutive shutouts before the international action started.
During that run, their top scorer is the absent Aguero with eight goals despite not scoring since early February, before suffering a knee injury to end his season prematurely.
Stat Attack
- West Ham have lost their last four meetings with Manchester City in all competitions 14-2 on aggregate.
- Since a 1-0 win in March 2009, the Hammers have won just one of last six home league games against Man City (D3 L3).
- Man City have three plays in double digit goals terrority this season whilst West Ham’s Marko Arnautovic is the only Hammer to enter those numbers.
- Arnautovic and Man City’s Kevin de Bruyne have both hit the woodwork four times this season
- West Ham are one of three clubs yet to concede an own goal in the league this season. Amongst those yet to concede an own goal in league, the Hammers are the lowest ranked team behind Arsenal and Liverpool.
- Both West Ham keepers have kept eight clean sheets between them this season, barely half of Ederson’s 15 for City.
- West Ham have conceded seven goals from the penalty spot, making them the worst team at saving penalties and are yet to have a penalty given to them in league matches against Manchester City.
Where can game be won or lost?
| Per Game Average | West Ham (home) | Manchester City (away) |
| Corners | 5.38 | 7.47 |
| Fouls | 10.38 | 9.06 |
| Shots | 11.44 | 16.76 |
| Shots on Target | 3.56 | 5.94 |
| Goals | 1.25 | 2.35 |
| Yellow Cards | 2.06 | 1.76 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Goals per First Half % | 40 | 55 |
| Goals per Second Half % | 60 | 45 |
Manchester City definitely will feel confident of victory because they definitely look the more dominant in attack.
West Ham however could win the game if defend solidly in first half before stepping their attack up in second half, because is that when they’re likely to score as City tire.
Discipline could very well be key to how either team win or lose this match.
West Ham might average two yellow cards per home game but are yet to see red unlike Man City when they are away from Etihad Stadium.
Should City see red then expect the Hammers to go for it because they will have nothing to lose.
Prediction
Although the league has been won, City look like a side who want to break records and especially when within touching distance of those achievements.
Another performance akin to that of last weekend’s 5-0 win over Swansea and I think that this will be a foregone result.
Prediction: West Ham United 0-3 Manchester City
Jake predicts: West Ham United 0-3 Manchester City
Result: West Ham United 1-4 Manchester City