Predicted Manchester City Line-up To Face West Ham United In The Premier League
Former Liverpool star Raheem Sterling is turning out to be the saviour for Pep Guardiola time and again this season as Manchester City needed him yet again this mid-week, to overcome a rigid Southampton side at the Etihad. The victory means that City are still 8 points clear at the top of the points table and they have a great chance of building on it, when they face a struggling West Ham United side this weekend.
With Manchester United travelling to Arsenal on the same match-day, City will look to make light work of the Hammers, who are healing from a 4-0 loss to Everton, earlier in the week. Guardiola will not let any complacency affect his side and will go with a strong XI.
Team News
Benjamin Mendy and John Stones are no closer to a comeback but Leroy Sane, who missed the game against Southampton with an illness, is expected to be back in the starting XI.
Formation: 4-3-2-1
Manager: Pep Guardiola
GK – Ederson Moraes
Had a nervous night against Southampton but could have a much easier night against one of the most out of form sides in the competition.
RB – Kyle Walker
The former Spurs star was not at his best earlier in the week and will hope to improve his performance against the Hammers.
CB – Vincent Kompany
The skipper of the side, Kompany was also tested by the Saints but he should retain his place in the side, with Stones out injured.
CB – Nicolas Otamendi
Easily City’s best defender this season, Otamendi will have to keep the likes of Carroll away from danger.
LB – Fabian Delph
Delph has been effective in this role in the backline and he is expected to keep his place in the side for this game.
RM – Bernardo Silva
Giving Raheem Sterling a break should be Bernardo Silva, who is yet to establish himself in the first team, at his new club.
CM – David Silva
After being rested earlier in the week, Silva is expected to be back in the starting XI this weekend.
CDM – Fernandinho
The Brazilian remains Guardiola’s best option as a CDM and he should keep his place in the side against West Ham.
CM – Ilkay Gundogan
Though he was not at his best in the game against Southampton, Gundogan should start this game in the midfield, giving Kevin de Bruyne some much-deserved rest.
LM – Leroy Sane
After missing the last game with an injury, Sane is back fit and is expected to start this game on the left-hand side of the attack.
ST – Gabriel Jesus
The Brazilian has fallen down the pecking order and could not find the back of the net in the previous game. However, he could get a chance to lead the attack, giving Sergio Aguero a breather.