Preview: Manchester City v West Ham
Posted Saturday, August 27, 2016 by foxsportsasia.com
New Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will look to continue the bright start to his career in England when the Citizens welcome West Ham to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Premier League
28 August 2016
Kick-off: 23:00 HKT
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Referee: A. Marriner
Assistants: S. Beck, S. Ledger
Fourth official: M. Jones
Head-to-head summary
TEAM MATCHES WIN DRAW LOSS
Manchester City 93 44 16 33
West Ham United 93 33 16 44
Previous encounter
West Ham 2-2 Manchester City 23/01/2016 (Premier League)
West Ham goalscorer: E. Valencia (1′, 56′)
Manchester City goalscorer: S. Aguero (9′, 81′)
Players to watch
As has often been the case in recent seasons, when Sergio Aguero is in-form, the team looks unstoppable. New manager Pep Guardiola will receive significant praise for the manner of City’s early season dominance, but it’s difficult to look past the fact that the Argentine striker has scored six goals in three games so far.
Dimitri Payet has not made an appearance for the Hammers so far this campaign, but is expected to return to the side for the match against City. So much of what was good about West Ham last season was down to the France international and the Citizens would be foolish to allow him too much space this weekend.
Team form and manager quotes
Manchester City have begun the season on fire. They’ve won all four of their matches so far, two in the Premier League and two Champions League qualifiers and have amassed 12 goals while conceding just two.
With the arrival of goalkeeper Claudio Bravo this week, Joe Hart has effectively been relegated to third choice. While Guardiola has pledged to make it work if they don’t find a new home for the England international before the transfer window shuts, he admits it would not be an ideal situation.
PEP: We want the best for (Hart). The club will help him find the best option. I will treat him like anyone if he stays, I will be fair.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 26, 2016
“We want the best for him and of course the club is going to help him get the best solution for him,” Guardiola explained. “If the transfer window is closed and he is here, he has to stay here, he will be treated like everyone.
“He deserves what he deserves, I will try to be fair with him. Until now, he is here and a player for us.”
Perhaps in respect to their form last season, West Ham are still considered a tough fixture, but their form so far this season has been poor at best.
Their only win in four matches was an unimpressive 1-0 result over Bournemouth last weekend and they suffered the indignity of failing to qualify for the Europa League group stage after losing to Romanian club Astra in midweek.
“The disappointment is massive,” said manager Slaven Bilic. “We didn’t play good in the first half or with desire as a team. We were second best.
“I’m angry and frustrated but I’m much more disappointed than anything else.”
Team news
Guardiola revealed Bravo will not start the match this weekend, with Willy Caballero returning to the first XI after Hart was given a chance in the Champions League qualifier in midweek.
PEP: Bravo is fit but he’s not going to play this weekend. He has a lot of experience in Spain and in the national team. #mcfc
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 26, 2016
Kelechi Iheanacho could feature off the bench despite picking up a hamstring injury against Steaua Bucharest, while Bacary Sagna, Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan and Vincent Kompany all remain long-term absentees.
West Ham have are suffering somewhat of an injury crisis at the moment with as many as 10 players potentially unavailable for the match. While the Hammers are hopeful Payet will be fit enough to return, they will definitely be without the likes of Andy Carrol, Andre Ayew, Havard Nordtveit and Manuel Lanzini.
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