Defending champions Manchester City visit the capital this weekend for a tie that may be more difficult than they anticipate.
West Ham struggled against Aston Villa on the opening weekend but mustered an impressive 2-0 win at Crystal Palace last week. Is that performance a sign of things to come?
Meanwhile, City will aim to keep their 100% record in the 2024-25 Premier League going, with star striker Erling Haaland on fire as per usual after a hat-trick against Ipswich.
This fixture has the potential to be the standout of Matchday 3, so read on for NetBet’s full preview.
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West Ham vs Manchester City
Saturday, August 31, 5.30pm
London Stadium, London, England
Live on Sky Sports
West Ham vs Manchester City Preview
A renewed West Ham under Julen Lopetegui will be boosted by the win at Palace last weekend and the 1-0 home victory over Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening. The Hammers will be hoping to build up some momentum from here.
But they face a tough task against Pep Guardiola’s City, who have two wins from two this campaign. The East London side have been busy in the transfer market, bringing in Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Guido Rodriguez and Jean-Clair Todibo.
While the Hammers have not quite found their rhythm yet, they certainly have a squad capable of big things this term. Lest we forget, they were able to trouble the Citizens in this fixture last season, despite eventually suffering a 3-1 loss.
City, on the other hand, will want to continue exactly as they are after the wins against Chelsea and Ipswich. West Ham will certainly not be overlooked by Guardiola’s men, although they will fancy their chances at the London Stadium.
Some City fans have expressed concern at their lack of activity in the transfer market, with Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan the only two new additions. Meanwhile, top talent Julian Alvarez has departed for Atletico Madrid, leaving City a seemingly weaker side than the one that lifted the Premier League trophy last season.
While there may be a replacement on the way in the dying embers of the transfer window that is yet to be reported, City may not need reinforcements up top due to the presence of Haaland.
With four goals already in his two Premier League games this season, he is a man in form and will be eyeing a third consecutive Golden Boot. The Norwegian scored late on in this fixture last season to seal victory.
In the last five Premier League meetings between the pair, one draw is all West Ham could manage, with City winning the other four games and scoring a minimum of two goals on every occasion.
West Ham vs Manchester City Odds
*Odds are correct at time of publication and subject to change
Unsurprisingly, City will take to the pitch as massive favourites to take three points back to Manchester, sitting at 1.39 for the win. But the Hammers will be unphased, having expected to go in as underdogs. They currently sit at 6.90.
West Ham vs Manchester City Betting Tips
Goals on Film
This fixture has a history of being free scoring and with the fire power in both squads this time around, we do not see it going any differently. Over 2.5 goals in the game is at 1.44.
Norway Jose
With his hot streak of goals continuing in style last week, it seems a solid pick that Haaland will get on the scoresheet once again this weekend. He is 1.69 to score anytime and 3.73 to be the game’s first scorer.
Here Comes Ger-Man
However, with their new boys yet to get off the mark, West Ham’s additions will be keen to impress against one of the league’s top sides. Fullkrug is at 4.33 to score, while Summerville is at 5.80.
West Ham Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson, Rodriguez, Soucek, Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus, Antonio
Injuries: Cresswell
Doubts: None
Manchester City Team News
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Ederson, Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Gundogan, Doku, Silva, De Bruyne, Savinho, Haaland
Injuries: Bobb
Doubts: Rodri, Foden, Kovacic
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