The last couple of league games have been tight calls for City but they managed to win both 2-1 and start the weekend still eight points clear at the top of the Premier League. They host a West Ham United side who are in the bottom three and yet to show much sign of improvement under new boss David Moyes.
Manchester City have left it late to get the winner in their last two league games. They had to come from behind to get a 2-1 win at Huddersfield last Sunday to maintain their 100 percent away league record. It was even later to get the winner on Wednesday as the last gasp Raheem Sterling goal gave them a 2-1 league win over Southampton. It’ll be a big surprise if they have to rely on a late goal in this latest Premier League game.
This game doesn’t take place until Sunday and by then Arsenal will have played Manchester United. If United fail to win that game, then a City victory will see them going to Old Trafford the following Sunday with at least a ten-point lead over their rivals.
City have a midweek Champions League game away to Shakhtar Donetsk but they have already won that group so there won’t be major players rested. Mind you, with the depth of their squad these days, City’s opponents don’t notice much difference even if Aguero or Jesus are left on the bench.
West Ham United would love to have such depth in their squad and come into this game in deep trouble. They lost 4-0 at Everton in midweek and are 18th in the table two points from safety. When you have conceded 30 goals in your first 14 league games, the last thing you need is an away game against high-scoring Manchester City. Even worse United have conceded nine goals without reply in their last two league and cup games against City.
The arrival of David Moyes has failed to produce a turnaround in the form of the Hammers. Three league games have seen defeats at Watford and Everton and a home draw with Leicester City. Their defence looks as bad as ever and they have conceded in their last eight league and cup matches. West Ham United are still looking for their first away league win of the season with just three points from eight games and 19 goals conceded already. The last four away league games have seen them concede at least twice and you really have to fear for them in this match. Even worse for them is the fact their next two league games are against Chelsea and Arsenal.
Conclusion
The Manchester City juggernaut has stuttered a little bit lately with their last three league and cup wins all being by a single goal. That’s not likely to happen in this game as they take on a West Ham side that has confidence problems and just can’t stop conceding goals. City can win this game on a -1 handicap and further deepen the relegation worries of their opponents.
The Key Stats
Last Five Premier League Results – Most recent first
Manchester City- WWWWW
West Ham United – LDLLD
Head to Head – Last Five League Meetings
01/02/17 – West Ham United 0 Manchester City 4
28/08/16 – Manchester City 3 West Ham United 1
23/01/16 – West Ham United 2 Manchester City 2
19/09/15 – Manchester City 1 West Ham United 2
19/04/14 – Manchester City 2 West Ham United 0
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 19 home league games.
- Manchester City have won their last 12 league games.
- In the last 12 league games, City have scored at least twice in 11 of them.
- West Ham United have conceded 14 goals in their last four league and cup games against Manchester City.
- Both teams have scored in four of the last five Manchester City league games.
- West Ham United have only won one of their last 11 Premier League visits to Manchester City.
- West Ham United have gone seven league games without a win.
- West Ham United have failed to win any of their last eight away league games and have one win in the last 15.
- The last seven West Ham United league games have seen them fail to keep a clean sheet.
- Four of the last six West Ham United league and cup games have seen both teams score.