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Riding High
Heading into this weekend’s game both Manchester City and West Ham United will be feeling good about themselves.
Pep Guardiola’s side is unbeaten in their last four games including victories against Arsenal and Porto.
David’s Moyes’ West Ham are unbeaten in their last three Premier League matches including an incredible 3-3 comeback draw against Tottenham last week.
Injury News
Manchester City’s win against Porto mid-week came at a heavy price.
The club’s skipper Fernandinho has a serious leg injury that will keep him out four-to-six-weeks.
Kevin De Bruyne’s status remains up in the air, he’s missed the last two games for his club.
Also missing in action are Aymeric Laporte, Gabriel Jesus, and Benjamin Mendy.
They are all question marks for City heading into Saturday.
The Hammers have been relatively healthy so far this season.
The biggest concern for them is the status of midfielder Michail Antonio who led the club in goals last season with 10.
Striker Sebastien Haller may also be a game-time decision.
What to watch for
As evidenced last week West Ham is a resilient bunch that won’t quit until the final whistle.
Last season’s mid-season transfer Jarrod Bowen is off to a fast start with three goals from five games.
Aaron Cresswell is third in the Premier League in assists with three, a strong and solid provider.
Beating a keeper with the caliber of Lukasz Fabianski is a tall order.
The Polish keeper is the team’s former player of the year and has two clean sheets already this season.
If De Bruyne can’t go this weekend expect Guardiola to count on Ilkay Gundogan to power the midfield.
His outstanding individual play was the difference in a lackluster Champions League debut for City over Porto.
Expect Guardiola to look to Phil Foden and Ferran Torres who had equally strong performances on Wednesday.
By the Numbers
Saturday’s game marks the first time since 2009 that West Ham enters a match against Man City ahead of them in the standings.
The Hammers are in 9th place with 7 points, same as Man City in 11th but with a better goal difference.
The stats will tell you that City’s questionable defense will need to be on its game Saturday.
West Ham has scored at least three goals in nine Premier League matches in 2020.
No other team has done so in more contests.
City has many fond memories of playing at London Stadium.
They’ve won their last five away matches on West Ham’s home turf by a score of 22-1.
The Blues have scored at least four goals in each of those games.
Raheem Sterling will likely take the captain’s armband Saturday and he definitely enjoys playing West Ham.
City’s prolific goal scorer has been directly involved in 11 goals in his last six Premier League appearances against the Hammers.
Head to Head
The last time these teams met was in February when City won a one-sided affair 2-0.
The Citizens have won 10 straight against the Hammers heading into Saturday.
The last time West Ham got the better of City was on September 19, 2015, when they beat them 2-1.
Match Info
Kickoff from London Stadium Saturday will be at 12:30 pm.
This is City’s third match in a week. (JSL)
