With 28 points from 22 games, Slaven Bilic’s West Ham United have slowly entered the top half of the points table and they are not too far away from a place in Europe. They have now taken 6 points from their last two league games and will be high on confidence but they will face a tough task this week when they welcome Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to the Olympic Stadium.
City are fresh from a victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup and are expected to go for the kill but Bilic will know that they have their own weaknesses which can be exploited. The Hammers have been busy in the transfer market but Bilic will already know his lineup for this game. Here is the predicted lineup he might field on the night:
Here is the predicted lineup he might field on the night:
Team News:
Star playmaker Dimitri Payet has completed a switch to Marseille in January. New signings Jose Fonte and Robert Snodgrass are both included in the squad for this game with the former expected to start. Diafra Sakho, Alvaro Arbeloa, Arthur Masuaku, Angelo Ogbonna and Havard Nordveit are all ruled out of this game. Mark Noble, Andy Carroll and Chiekhou Kouyate are all available while Andre Ayew is still at the AFCON.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Darren Randolph:
The first choice shot-stopper for West Ham, Randolph has been decent in the last few games and should keep his place in the side.
Michail Antonio:
The versatile winger was unplayable in the previous game for the Hammers and he should start this game on the right-wing.
Jose Fonte:
The Portuguese defender joined the club just last month and is expected to make his debut in this game against Manchester City.
Winston Reid:
With Ogbonna ruled out for the rest of the season, Winston Reid should step in alongside Fonte for this tie against Guardiola’s side.
Aaron Cresswell:
The English full-back has been superb for West Ham in the last few games and he will be up against the likes of Raheem Sterling and David Silva on the night.
Mark Noble:
Though picked up a niggle in the previous game against Boro, the English midfielder is back fit and should take a place in the midfield against Manchester City.
Sofiane Feghouli:
Turning into a top class option for Bilic in attack this season, Feghouli is in top form at the moment and will hope to have an impact against Manchester City.
Pedro Obiang:
The most consistent midfielder for West Ham this season, Obiang will have to play a major role to contain the likes of Silva and Toure to help his side to a victory.
Manuel Lanzini:
The playmaker is doing some bright things for West Ham and he will have to be at his best for the Hammers to get anything from this game.
Robert Snodgrass:
The new 29-year-old signing from Hull City, Snodgrass is in top form right now and will be looking to add more to his tally against a soft Manchester City defence.
Andy Carroll:
Currently in red hot form, Carroll, has the ability to shred the Manchester City defense into pieces and Bilic will hope that he can do exactly that on the night.
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