Manchester City will look to continue their impressive start to life under Pep Guardiola when they welcome out-of-form West Ham United to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Man City have won both of their league fixtures this season in addition to two European ties, but West Ham were dumped out of the Europa League on Wednesday night and will enter this match short of confidence.
Man City
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Despite Guardiola's impressive work at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, it had been questioned whether the Spaniard could make his mark in England. It is still very, very early in his tenure, but the signs are good at this stage after leading Man City to four victories from their four competitive matches this season.
It was nervy start against Sunderland as they needed a late own goal to record a 2-1 victory, but they then thumped Steaua Bucuresti 5-0 in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on August 16 to all but secure their spot in the group stages. As it transpired, a 1-0 win over Steaua on Wednesday night completed the job for the Premier League side.
Their reward for reaching the group stages will be matches against Barcelona, Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic and there is no question that Guardiola will be expected to deliver in the Champions League. That is for next month, however, and it is vital that their focus remains on the Premier League in the final set of fixtures before the international break.
It would be fair to say that the 4-1 victory over Stoke City last weekend flattered Man City, but they were worthy winners and as a result, they will enter the third week of Premier League matches top of the table on goal difference from Manchester United, who they meet on September 10 at Old Trafford.
Incredibly, Man City actually lost five Premier League games at home last season and conceded 21 times at the Etihad, which was more than the likes of Sunderland and Swansea City on their own grounds. Defence was a problem for Manuel Pellegrini last term, but Guardiola has brought in John Stones to boost his backline for the new campaign.
Guardiola's possession-based, passing style will be tested at home, however, when teams set up in a defensive shape and look to press high up the field. Sunderland so nearly gained a point on the opening weekend and West Ham boss Slaven Bilic will surely have a plan on Sunday that could well frustrate this improving but new Man City outfit.
Recent form: WW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWW
West Ham
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West Ham's new London Stadium is beautiful and it should allow the Hammers to move to the next level, certainly financially, but there was huge embarrassment on Thursday night as Bilic's side were dumped out of the Europa League by Astra Giurgui.
The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the playoff in Romania last week, before Astra recorded a 1-0 victory in the English capital to make the group stages, meaning that West Ham have taken a big financial hit.
The new stadium was supposed to boast European football this season and truly put West Ham on the map and while that is still extremely achievable in the long term, the Premier League will now be the main focus during the 2016-17 campaign.
Bilic's side were far from their best on the opening weekend of the season away to Chelsea, but came very close to securing a point when James Collins cancelled out a penalty from Eden Hazard. As it transpired, Diego Costa struck late on to secure all the points for the home side and leave West Ham pointless after one game of the new campaign.
The Hammers made their Olympic Stadium Premier League debut against Bournemouth last weekend and in truth, it was a very disappointing affair as both teams struggled in the final third. Michail Antonio came up with a late winner for the hosts, however, to ensure that they would get off the mark ahead of a trip to Man City this weekend.
Only Leicester, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal had a better Premier League away record than West Ham last season, with the Hammers winning seven of their 19 matches and only losing five times in the process. They won at Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Everton and will be determined to bounce back following their Europa League disappointment.
Recent form: LW
Recent form (all competitions): LDWL
Team News
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Claudio Bravo completed a move to Man City earlier this week, but Guardiola revealed at his pre-match press conference that the Chilean would not take part this weekend and as a result, Wilfredo Caballero will return between the sticks.
Guardiola has decisions to make further forward as Jesus Navas and Nolito battle for a spot on the left, but Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Fernandinho are all expected to continue in midfield.
Raheem Sterling has made a positive start to the new campaign and will continue in attack, while Nicolas Otamendi is expected to be given the nod to start alongside Stones in central defence.
As for West Ham, Bilic has revealed that "one of" Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet should be fit to return, while skipper Mark Noble is also expected to feature despite picking up a knock against Bournemouth last weekend.
Simeone Zaza is said to be close to joining from Juventus, but this game will come too soon for the Italian. Another new face - Edimilson Fernandes - could feature, although it is likely that the midfielder will start on the bench.
Collins, Enner Valencia and Adrian should all return, but summer signing Havard Nordtveit picked up a knock against Astra and is unlikely to take part at the Etihad.
Man City possible starting lineup:
Caballero; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Kolarov; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva; Nolito, Aguero, Sterling
West Ham possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Byram, Collins, Reid, Masuaku; Noble, Kouyate; Antonio, Payet, Tore; Valencia
Head To Head
This match will be the 103rd meeting between Man City and West Ham in all competitions and it is the Citizens that lead the head-to-head 48 wins to 37. That said, West Ham have actually won two of their last four Premier League meetings.
Indeed, the Hammers recorded a 2-1 victory in the corresponding league match last season, while they have beaten Man City 2-1 and drawn 2-2 in their last two on home soil. Man City, though, have only lost one of their last 10 Premier League meetings with West Ham – recording eight wins in the process.
We say: Man City 3-1 West Ham
West Ham are having a tough time of it at the moment and it is very difficult to back them this weekend, despite the fact that they won at the Etihad last season. Man City are full of confidence following an impressive start and we are backing Guardiola's team to move onto nine points in the Premier League table.
Matt Law
