Sunday’s Premier League meeting at London Stadium is between two teams who could not be in more different form. West Ham have won just one of their last six meetings with Manchester City, outscored in those fixtures by a staggering 19 goals to four, and their recent results – winning just two of their last 12 games in all competitions – only adds to their apprehension here.
Manager David Moyes has used a number of formations as he bids to save the club from relegation, and with just six points separating them from the bottom three, this fixture could not come at a worse time. There have been over 2.5 goals in each of their last seven home matches against City in all competitions, a trend that is likely to continue as the visitors arrive looking to continue their incredible run this term.
Pep Guardiola’s men have run roughshod over the entire league, on course to secure 100 points and score 100 goals, setting a raft of records along the way and desperate to be recognised as the most dominant side to lift the title. The Catalan’s 4-3-3 formation has allowed them to be both excellent at retaining the ball and deadly on the counter attack, leading all sides in terms of shots, passes, possession and pass completion.
They have scored from almost every situation, excelling at set pieces, delivering exquisite moments of individual skill and able to open up even the most resolute of defences thanks to their unique blend of speed, ability and understanding.
In stark contrast, West Ham have been largely reduced to a long ball approach, aiming to get the ball forward as quickly as possible and struggling for ideas in midfield. They are expected to use a 3-4-2-1 system here, which could see them overrun in wide areas and find it difficult to get the ball forward to striker Marko Arnautovic.
Moyes will face this difficult task with Pedro Obiang, Winston Reid, Sam Byram and Michail Antonio all still missing due to injury. James Collins is a doubt with an ongoing hamstring problem and it remains to be seen whether he'll be fit in time to feature here, while Manuel Lanzini come replace Edimilson Fernandes in the starting XI. Their problems are deepened by the fact Joe Hart is unable to play against his parent club, meaning Adrian will likely start between the posts for a side desperate for a positive result.
For City, Sergio Aguero and John Stones remain absent due to injury, but Fernandinho is available again following a two-match ban and could step in for Ilkay Gundogan in midfield. With the title already secure, Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane are expected to come into the starting lineup, meaning Danilo, Aymeric Laporte and Raheem Sterling could be left out.
Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Delph; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, David Silva; Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus, Sane
West Ham United (3-4-2-1): Adrian; Rice, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Zabaleta, Kouyate, Noble, Masuaku; Joao Mario, Lanzini; Arnautovic
