Man City vs. West Ham: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Manchester City will look to quickly get back to winning ways when they take on West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
After winning their first five league games of the Premier League season without conceding a goal, City lost 2-1 at home to Juventus on Tuesday night in the UEFA Champions League.
Manuel Pellegrini will be desperate to continue his side’s exceptional domestic form. They are four points clear of second-placed Leicester City and already have an 11-point lead over last season’s champions Chelsea. City have capitalised as their rivals have floundered.
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Slaven Bilic’s side arrive in fine form themselves. They sit fifth in the table and have won both of their away matches thus far, against Arsenal and Liverpool, where they showed they are a genuine threat on the counter.
"Graft and craft on display at Friday's #MCFC training session - full gallery this way: http://t.co/aULbq8w3kP pic.twitter.com/lAtyzNPtll
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 18, 2015"
Date: Saturday, September 19
Kick-off: 5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET
TV Listings: Sky Sports 1 (UK)
Live Stream: Not available
Form Guide (last 5 league results)
City
Crystal Palace 0-1 City
City 2-0 Watford
Everton 0-2 City
City 3-0 Chelsea
West Brom 0-3 City
West Ham
West Ham 2-0 Newcastle
Liverpool 0-3 West Ham
West Ham 3-4 Bournemouth
West Ham 1-2 Leicester
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham
Predicted Formations
City
Pellegrini will be without Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta, Fabian Delph and, most crucially, Vincent Kompany when they take on the Hammers. Kompany suffered yet another calf injury in the defeat to Juventus. Sergio Aguero is back to full fitness, and Fernando is available for the first time this season after recovering from a groin problem.
"PELLEGRINI: "Maybe @Notamendi30 hasn't worked with us as much as we would have liked but he's an experienced player & will have his chance."
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 18, 2015"
"Sergio recovers very well," said Pellegrini. "He is 100 per cent and will play without any problems. Vincent is not fit for the game. Samir Nasir has a kick after the last game and he is not 100 per cent fit for tomorrow."
(From) Caballero, Hart, Wright, Demichelis, Kolarov, Kompany, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna, Zabaleta, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Fernando, Nasri, Navas, Roberts, Silva, Toure, Zuculini, Aguero, Bony, Iheanacho, Sterling.
West Ham
Angelo Ogbonna is out with a hamstring injury and Alex Song remains unavailable with an ankle problem. Enner Valencia is continuing his recovery from a knee injury and is out. Mauro Zarate, though, is back after hamstring trouble.
(From) Adrian, Randolph, Spiegel, Collins, Cresswell, Henry, Jenkinson, O'Brien, Oxford, Reid, Tomkins, Amalfitano, Antonio, Cullen, Kouyate, Lanzini, Moses, Noble, Obiang, Payet, Samuelsen, Carroll, Jelavic, Lee, Sakho, Zarate.
Players to Watch
City: Fernandinho
After a difficult second season in English football, where his experience at the 2014 World Cup appeared to negatively affect him, Fernandinho is back to his very best for City this season.
The player City signed in 2013 is back, one who contributes effectively to both attack and defence. Fernandinho is capable of sitting deep and recovering possession through tackles and interceptions or breaking forward and providing attacking quality in the final third.
He's outshone Yaya Toure in City's midfield so far this season and has arguably been the Blues' best player.
West Ham: Dimitri Payet
It’s perhaps a sign of the increased financial muscle in the Premier League that Dimitri Payet plays for a side like West Ham who traditionally fall outside the elite group of teams in English football.
The new television deal has provided top-flight English clubs with newfound wealth, leading to a trickle-down effect. Top players who would previously have gone to clubs challenging for titles in other European leagues are now tempted by the riches on offer at Premier League clubs dreaming of impacting the top six.
"In-form @dimpayet17 will be a threat says @DeBruyneKev ahead of @whufc_official visit Read: http://t.co/vK3vjo6Our pic.twitter.com/JWGIFSTtJT
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 18, 2015"
Payet is an impudent forward with quick feet and untold technical quality. His start to life in England since his summer move from Marseille has been spectacular. His three goals in five games tell only half the story—he’s quickly become West Ham’s best and most enigmatic star.
He’s capable of producing moments of brilliance and has a handy knack of creating chances for those around him. He’s undoubtedly the star of this West Ham side, and although City won’t make any special arrangements to combat him, Pellegrini will be well aware he is their most dangerous attacking player.
Key Battle
Sergio Aguero vs. James Tomkins
As ever, Sergio Aguero will be key to City's chances of three points. The Argentinian started Tuesday's game with Juventus on the bench but has returned to full fitness and is expected to start.
One of Aguero's defining characteristics is his speed and movement. There are few strikers in world football who move as well as Aguero, and defenders often struggle to get tight to him and stop him getting chances.
James Tomkins is the man tasked with stopping him on Saturday evening. Tomkins has struggled to handle Aguero's low centre of gravity and pace in the past. Aguero will be hoping to torment him once again.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
City: -435
West Ham: +1046
Draw: +494
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.
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