West Ham vs Manchester City Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Charlie Stewart
West Ham welcome Manchester City to the London Stadium on Saturday, looking to continue their recent run of form.
The Hammers have enjoyed a strong spell of results recently, picking up seven points from their last three games. This has taken them up to ninth place - an impressive achievement given they lost their first two games. A win on Saturday will take them into the top four, if only for a few hours.
The visitors have not made the start that they would have wanted in the Premier League. They currently sit in 11th - six points off the top, although they have played one game fewer than most.
City have had a bit more joy in other competitions, reaching the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, as well as coming from behind to beat Porto in their Champions League opener.
Where to Watch
When Is Kick Off? Saturday 24 October
What Time Is Kick Off? 12:30 (BST)
Where Is it Played? London Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport (UK)
Referee? Anthony Taylor
Team News
Manager David Moyes has confirmed French forward Sebastien Haller should be available for selection following a minor injury that kept him out of the Tottenham game. Fellow striker Michail Antonio has also had a hamstring problem, but this shouldn't keep him out of Saturday's match.
New arrival Said Benrahma could be set to make his debut. However, Moyes has said the Algerian 'needs to get up to speed to where we're at', implying he will not start this weekend.
Pep Guardiola will be without veteran Fernandinho, who went off in injury time against Porto. Gabriel Jesus and Benjamin Mendy are also sidelined.
Star man Kevin De Bruyne is a doubt after missing the last two games, as is French centre back Aymeric Laporte. Summer signing Nathan Ake is also due to be assessed.
Predicted Lineups
West Ham: Fabianski; Coufal, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku; Bowen, Rice, Soucek, Fornals; Antonio.
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Garcia, Cancelo; Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Foden, Sterling; Aguero.
Recent Form
After defeats in their opening two fixtures against Newcastle and Arsenal, West Ham have bounced back in style with emphatic wins against Wolves and Leicester. This was followed up with last weekend's incredible comeback in north London.
Moyes will be very encouraged by his side's attacking threat in recent weeks. The Hammers have found the net 16 times in their last five outings in all competitions.
The Citizens are yet to hit their stride this season, picking up seven points from their opening four games without ever looking at their best.
However, this could all change with the return of all time record goalscorer Sergio Aguero. Guardiola has had to make do without a natural striker for the opening weeks of the season, due to the absences of Aguero and Gabriel Jesus. Once the Argentine is back to full fitness, City should be far more threatening.
Here are the last five results for each side.
West Ham
Tottenham 3-3 West Ham (18/10)
Leicester 0-3 West Ham (4/10)
Everton 4-1 West Ham (30/9)
West Ham 4-0 Wolves (27/9)
West Ham 5-1 Hull (22/9)
Manchester City
Manchester City 3-1 Porto (21/10)
Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal (17/10)
Leeds 1-1 Manchester City (3/10)
Burnley 0-3 Manchester City (30/9)
Manchester City 2-5 Leicester (27/9)
Prediction
The omens do not look good for the hosts, who have lost each of the last nine meetings between the two by an aggregate score of 30-3. Furthermore, Moyes has lost every fixture against City since March 2013, stretching back to his time at Everton.
Without a fully fit De Bruyne, City are a far weaker side. However, the return of Aguero will be a welcome boost to Guardiola.
If the away side are playing their best football, then they should come away from east London with all three points. However, West Ham's free-scoring frontline and City's defensive frailties make this a tough one to call. It should be an interesting affair.
Prediction: West Ham 2-3 Manchester City