EPL Preview: West Ham vs Manchester City
Oct 19, 2013 at 5.30pm (UK)
Upton Park
A resurgent West Ham United host title Contenders Manchester City in Saturday’s Late night kickoff at Boleyn Ground. The Hammers would like to build on their astonishing 3-0 win over Tottenham two weeks ago at White Hart Lane. Sam Allardyce’s men have had a mixed start to the season failing to build in the recent weeks and would be up for the challenge when they square up against Manuel Pellegrini’s determined outfit.
City come into the game after a convincing 3-1 over Everton at home two weeks ago and would certainly look to leave no stone unturned in quest of adding another three points in their kitty. The Blues form Manchester have been sublime at home but have looked equally patchy away with just collecting a solitary point from three games.
Team News:
Manchester City:
Pellegrini’s men will be without captain and star defender Vincent Kompany who suffered a thigh injury against Everton at home. Allardyce on the other hand would be looking to unalter his same starting eleven which worked wonders against Tottenham.
Martin Demichelis is available for selection for City but might not get a starting eleven slot. Nastasic and Lescott are expected to start with Zabaleta and Kolarov in wingbacks role. While Fernandino and Yaya Toure will play the double pivot in the middle of the park, David Silva is expected for the number ten role with Aguero and Negredo up front.
West Ham:
For the Hammers though, Ricardo Vaz Te will lead the attack for the home side and manager Sam Allardyce is likely to go with an unchanged line-up.
Preview:
Sergio Aguero will be the one to watch out for: The Argentine has already netted four times this campaign and it was arguably his goal just prior to half-time against Everton that helped City to assume control of the match. His link up play with David Silva will be another mouth watering prospect to look forward to, although the home side is expected to pack the midfield and choke the space in the middle of the park. For West Ham ravel Morrison will look to make inroads once again in the shaky City Defence.
Even though the Hammers would look to build on their win over Spurs, City perhaps will nick the closely fought encounter. I would go on and predict a 3-1 win for City as they look to continue their surge for title aspirations.
West Ham vs Manchester City – Lineups
West Ham United:
Jaaskelainen; Demel, Rat, Tomkins, Reid; Diame, Noble, Nolan, Downing, Morrsion; Vaz Te
Manchester City:
Hart; Zabaleta, Kolarov, Nastasic, Lescott; Fernandinho, Milner, Yaya Toure, Silva; Negredo, Aguero