Manchester City vs West Ham preview: Tickets, team news, line up and odds

Midfield battle: Alex Song holds off Frank Lampard at the Etihad Stadium
PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images
Sam Long18 September 2015

On paper, the challenge facing West Ham this Saturday is the hardest one that they could have been handed by the fixture list.

Manchester City have been in flawless form so far this season and currently boast a healthy four-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table.

Yet Slaven Bilic's side should not be daunted by the prospect of a trip to the Etihad Stadium for they have already claimed two sizeable scalps away from home in the early stages of the campaign.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool were dispatched by the Hammers and the east London club will be hopeful that they will be able to complete a trio of unlikely results at the expense of Manuel Pellegrini's men.

However, the task remains a formidable one. The Premier League leaders may have been humbled by Juventus in midweek but they will be keen to continue their superb domestic run and West Ham to perform to their full potential if they are to add to their points tally.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Date, time and venue

West Ham face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 19 September. Kick-off is at 17:30.

Where to watch

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 1. Coverage starts at 17:00.

Tickets

Away fans can purchase tickets for the game from the club's official website here. Adult prices start at £42.

Form and recent encounters

In regards to form, there is only one place to start. Dimitri Payet has made an instant impact on these shores and the Frenchman's performances have left many asking why the division's elite did not do more to sign him this summer.

Bilic's newly installed talisman inspired his side to a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on Monday to move the Hammers up to fifth place in the table after a deserved 3-0 win at Anfield the week before.

Had two sloppy displays against in-form Leicester and newly promoted Bournemouth been avoided, fans of the east Londoners would have even wider smiles on their faces at present.

The pair of defeats now serve as a reminder of the depths that Bilic's side are capable of slipping to if they are not at the races.

Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

If defensive errors are committed against City, they will be punished, such is the authoritative start to the season the hosts have enjoyed. Joe Hart is yet to concede a goal and City are now widely regarded as champions elect by virtue of their five victories so far.

Last season West Ham managed to turn the tables on their opponents and claimed a memorable 2-1 victory at Upton Park thanks to goals from Morgan Amalfitano and Diafra Sakho.

However, it was business as usual for City at home in April as a bizarre own goal form James Collins and a slick finish from Sergio Aguero proved to be enough to see off the Hammers.

Team News

Aguero appeared to be destined for yet another spell on the sidelines after he was felled by Scott Dann last weekend, but made the bench for the midweek defeat to Juventus.

City do not look as fearsome without the Argentine in their midst but, even if Aguero misses out, the remainder of Pellegrini's attacking options are unhindered.

Captain Vincent Kompany picked up a knock against the Serie A champions but is hopeful that he can prove his fitness. Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Fabian Delph have all been ruled out.

Teenage striker Kelechi Iheanacho may have netted the winner at Selhurst Park, but is unlikely to make the starting line up.

Getty

The Irons have a number of injury complaints. Angelo Ogbonna was withdrawn against Newcastle nursing a hamstring injury and is expected be out of action for up to a month.

Alex Song and Enner Valencia are both some way off a return to fitness while Mauro Zarate is unlikely to be risked. Pedro Obiang is is contention after shaking off a footy complaint.

Long term absentee Andy Carroll made his return as a substitute on Monday and could finally be included in the starting line up this weekend. It's been a long wait for the forward.

Manchester City possible XI: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Kolarov; Toure, Fernandinho; De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Aguero.

West Ham possible XI: Adrian; Jenkinson, Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell; Kouyate, Obiang, Noble; Payet, Sakho, Moses.

What they’re saying

Manuel Pellegrini: "I expect that when we have chances, we must score. We controlled the game and didn't have many problems but football is like that.

"I don't think we deserved to lose. We played better than Juventus and we had three clear opportunities to score."

GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images

Slaven Bilic: "They are cruising at this early stage but we have done it already at Arsenal and Liverpool so we know what we have to do to give ourselves a chance.

"It would be a surprise if we were to win, but it would not be a shock. We have already done it twice and I am expecting us to have a good game and if we play as well as we can, then we have a chance."

Odds (via William Hill)

A Manchester City win is available at 2/9, West Ham have been priced at 10/1 while a draw is 11/2.

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