West Ham United FC vs Manchester City FC, Premier League 2020-2021, Today Match Prediction

West Ham United FC vs Manchester City FC Match Prediction & Analysis

The season is still early, but to look at the Premier League table and see Manchester City sitting in 11th place after four matches is still a surprise.

Their form has been mixed, coming undone against the likes of Leicester and drawing against newly promoted Leeds, giving performances that have been unlike those expected from a Guardiola side.

In fact, they sit two places below their opponents this weekend in West Ham who have enjoyed a fantastic turnaround in form of late.

They themselves are on a high after thrashing the likes of Wolves and Leicester, top teams in their own rights, after starting the season poorly. 

Their manager David Moyes will be pleased with their recent form and will currently be confident of avoiding another relegation battle if they can keep this up.

This will be a tough test for The Hammers, however.

TEAMS PREVIEW

West Ham United FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): WWLWD

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Recent form has been impressive against tough teams

     Have been scoring goals for fun

Reasons to be fearful:

     Have lost last five home games to City

     Sweating over fitness of Antonio

West Ham go into this fixture ahead of Manchester City for the first time in 11 years, such has been their great form of late coinciding with City’s own inconsistencies. 

They will also be full of confidence, especially over how they have played recently, winning against Wolves and Leicester, before coming from 3-0 down to draw against Tottenham last weekend. 

Indeed, their comeback was the first time in Premier League history a team has avoided defeat after trailing by three or more goals as late as the 81st minute. Their morale will be sky-high coming into this one.

They should have a fit team, although they are facing the prospect of being without star striker Antonio, as well as Sebastian Haller, both through injury.

The Hammers have scored at least three goals in their last three matches, and you feel they’ll need to do the same to beat City this weekend.

Star Man – Pablo Fornals

In great scoring form having goals and assists in recent games

Manchester City FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): LWDWW

Reasons to be cheerful

     Two good wins in a week against Arsenal and Porto

     Star striker Sergio Aguero is back and scoring

Reasons to be fearful

     Still question marks over defence

     Injury concerns remain

Coming out of the International break, many critics were predicting that this could be a season of change for City and their manager Pep Guardiola off the back of mixed form and a raft of injuries which had shown that not all was well in their camp.

A big defeat to Leicester was followed by a draw against newly-promoted Leeds, and their overall performances were not at the level you would expect compared to previous seasons.

This week, some element of normality has returned at The Etihad with a well-constructed victory over Arsenal in league was followed by a comfortable 3-1 win to kick off their Champions League campaign, including a goal from injury returnee Aguero.

Unfortunately, De Bruyne remains out, as may the likes of Laporte, Ake and Mendy in defence, which has been the main area of concern for City this season.

They should still have too much for The Hammers, but we’ve seen plenty of goals in this season’s Premier League, and West Ham are in great form themselves.

Star Man – Sergio Aguero

Has a point to prove after missing the start of the season with injury. Will want to make up for lost time