Manchester City vs West Ham
English Premier League
Date: Wednesday, 19 February 2020
Kick-off at 19:30 UK/ 20:30 CET
Venue: Etihad Stadium (Manchester)
Match preview
Having had five days to digest the announcement that they face being banned from European competition for two years for allegedly violating financial regulations, Man City, in theory, have little to play for in the Premier League.
With a 25 point gap to leaders Liverpool, the best the city can realistically hope for is second place, leaving Pep Guardiola to put everything into the trophy won in three other competitions.
However, despite the hostility directed against UEFA from the stands potentially detract from the action on the pitch on Wednesday night, Guardiola will know that this is an important fixture in terms of getting the city back on track.
For all the chances they created against Tottenham Hotspur at the start of the month, they failed to get on the scoresheet for the second game in a row - something that is rare for any team Guardiola.
Despite the enforced two-and-a-half week break will be frustrated Spaniard had given some thought ahead of time to plan a strategy ahead of a busy few weeks at the domestic and European front.
With the Champions League and Cup final EFL take priority now, games like that on Wednesday night could represent an opportunity for Phil Foden to gain more experience in the English top flight.
Although many college graduates into the hand of the minutes in the cup, playmaker remains with just two Premier League starts this season, statistics that he would want to improve before the end of the campaign.
Guardiola will also want to relieve Aymeric Laporte back in action after a recent break due to fatigue, the consequences of spending much of this season on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.
Despite his absence will no doubt cost City over the past six months, did not feel the need to play him in a lot of Premier League matches ahead could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Guardiola related to claim silver in the coming months.
Although the City can play with a certain degree of freedom on Wednesday, the same can not be said of West Ham, who travel to the Etihad very short of confidence.
For the vast majority of their contests with Brighton & Hove Albion back on February 1, it appears that David Moyes will see his team end a five-match winless run in all competitions.
However, conceding two late goals ended the game resulted in a 3-3 draw, leaving Moyes torn as to how to approach the game this level after dropping to the bottom three.
In their last few games with Leicester City and Liverpool, Moyes has struggled to find the correct balance, with significant changes in strategies needed at the midpoint of the first of those fixtures.
The Scot will probably feel that there is enough quality in attack to score against City backline struggled, although newly appointed boss may lack faith in themselves defenders to put up quite a fight at the other end.
The only plus point from their latest outing was Robert Snodgrass contributed two goals and one assist, extending his tally to five and four categories for each campaign.
While there are some big name arrivals during the past 18 months, 32 year-old has emerged as the most creative players West Ham this season, effectively making the most important striker in the squad.
However, with a trip to the City, Liverpool and Arsenal all to come in their next four games, there is a possibility Snodgrass be left powerless to prevent West Ham from being cut adrift in the battle to avoid relegation to the Championship.
News team
Manchester City
Benjamin Mendy is likely to return to action after Guardiola confirmed that he was not injured. France will face a late fitness test but we hope he starts a left back, at the expense of Oleksandr Zinchenko, who was out suspended. Joao Cancelo is also an option, should Mendy miss.
There will be no confusion as on the opposite side, where Kyle Walker is a guaranteed starter. Aymeric Laporte could be in contention to start as well. But Guardiola is unlikely to rush him back into action, paving the way for Nicolas Otamendi to form the central defensive pairing along Fernandinho.
In midfield, Ilkay Gundogan may have to make way for David Silva while Rodri is a genuine candidate to retain his place in the holding midfield slot. Silva, meanwhile, will look to exploit the West Ham defense with creativity, in addition to the indispensable Kevin de Bruyne.
Guardiola could face problems in the attack, especially with Raheem Sterling ruled out because of injury. Bernardo Silva is expected to replace English, but we hope Gabriel Jesus to get the nod ahead of former Benfica player only because of the fact that he is more comfortable playing on the left wing.
Riyad Mahrez is a guaranteed starter on the opposite side. And finally, the attack Man City must be led by the only Sergio Aguero.
Possible Lineup (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Mendy; de Bruyne, Rodri, David Silva; Mahrez, Aguero, Gabriel Jesus
West Ham
Moyes could be boosted by the return of Felipe Anderson this week. Brazil has enjoyed a speedy recovery and could be in contention to start against Manchester City. However, the same can not be said about Andriy Yarmolenko.
Following a dreadful defensive performance in the last match, Moyes may turn to the back line of three people, which means a 3-5-2 could be a possibility here. Which could see Aaron Cresswell shifted to the central role, along with Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop. Meanwhile, Ryan Fredericks will operate as a right wing, with Arthur Masuaku displays on the opposite side.
In midfield, it seemed likely starter Tomas Soucek, has made a big impression in his debut. The Czech midfielder will play an important role alongside Mark Noble and Declan Rice in the second row of the press. Rice, however, is likely to operate in a relatively deeper role, almost as an extra central defender.
Looking ahead, Robert Snodgrass has a good chance to start the game, after scoring two goals and generates an assist against Brighton & Hove Albion. He has the potential to spearhead the West Ham attack alongside Sebastien Haller.
Possible Lineup (3-5-2): Fabianski; Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Fredericks, Soucek, Rice, Noble, Masuaku; Haller, Snodgrass
Manchester City vs West Ham Prediction
Cities are the defending champions England, and in fact, has delivered the first domestic treble last season in state history. They also pointed to finish second this EPL season, and on top of that, have the home advantage as well.
On the other hand, West Ham was placed 18th in a table of 20, and are in serious danger of getting the boot, coming this summer. They have so far secured a total of 24 points from their 25 games, and one of only four teams have conceded 40+ goals.
Do keep notes that the City has scored the most goals so far in 2019-20. Additionally, City-winning run against these opponents ten games, and in this place, in the last 12 years, ignore a single game, Manchester Blues holds a 100% winning record against West Ham.
Taking into account these observations, it should rely on Manchester City to record a big win this Sunday.
Manchester City vs West Ham Betting Tips
Half Time / Full Time: Manchester City / Manchester City @ 1.40 (2/5)
Score in both halves: Manchester City @ 1.40 (2/5).
