Sports Mole previews Manchester City's Premier League visit to in-form West Ham United as the champions attempt to respond to another disappointing week in Europe.

Manchester City will be looking for a response to another disappointing European night when they visit West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.

The English champions surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with CSKA Moscow in Russia on Tuesday as their Champions League last-16 hopes took a huge hit.

Post-match complaints made by captain Vincent Kompany about a late penalty decision and the absence of City fans fell on UEFA ears perhaps deafened by the sound of the statement made by Group E rivals Bayern Munich in Rome.

Things are going better domestically for Manuel Pellgrini's side, who have won their last three games to climb to second in the table, with four Sergio Aguero goals inspiring the 4-1 rout of Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

The Argentine has now moved joint-top of the Premier League scoring charts alongside Diego Costa on nine, but if there is one striker in the division who can match his form it is West Ham bargain Diafra Sakho.

The £3.5m signing kept up his record of scoring in every Hammers game in which he has started by netting in the 3-1 win over Burnley to take his tally to six in six matches and lift the Londoners up to fourth.

Manager Sam Allardyce reckons that the Senegalese is part of the best squad of players that he has had during his reign at Upton Park, and one that could go within one point of the Citizens with victory.

Allardyce is unlikely to deter much from the side that started at Turf Moor, although Kevin Nolan could replace Morgan Amalfitano if he feels that an extra industrious body may be required in midfield.

It will be a straight choice between James Collins and James Tomkins at centre-back if the latter passes a fitness test. Mauro Zarate may make the bench, but Cheikhou Kouyate, Andy Carroll and Guy Demel are out.

Pellegrini will probably stick with the Aguero and Edin Dzeko partnership from midweek after going with only one forward against Spurs, which could mean Jesus Navas is back among the substitutes.

Gael Clichy should be recalled at left-back in place of Aleksander Kolarov, but Frank Lampard will miss the trip to the club where he started his career after after being stretchered off last weekend.

City have won their last three matches against West Ham in all competitions.

Recent form

West Ham: WWLWDL

Man City: DWWDWW

Possible starting lineups

West Ham: Adrian; Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell; Song, Noble, Nolan, Downing; Sakho, Valencia

Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy; Milner, Fernandinho, Toure; Silva, Aguero, Dzeko

Sports Mole says: 1-2