West Ham vs Manchester City (A) Preview

Premier League GW3

On Saturday evening Manchester City travel up to face West Ham, early in the season just like last but with a different manager and style of play. At least in the long run, they will play differently, for now, it seems they are working out their identity along with bedding in several new signings.

Heading into the match City is sat top of the table after two matches, little you could take away from that but two good wins behind them and a shift in approach that was evident in both.

Before getting into the match it’s worth mentioning a couple of bits of news. Congratulations to Rico Lewis on his call-up to the England team, under new caretaker manager Lee Carsley. John Stones and Jack Grealish also got called up to the squad.

Newsletter on England results and setup under Carsley to follow after the matches next week.

In the League Cup, City have been drawn against Watford (H). An opportunity for minutes to the likes of James McAtee, Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes. The final date is yet to be confirmed.

The Champions League’s draw was revealed for the eight league format matches yesterday. The fixture order will be confirmed on Saturday, 31st August.

• Inter Milan (H)

• Paris Saint-Germain (A)

• Club Brugge (H)

• Juventus (A)

• Feyenoord (H)

• Sporting CP (A)

• Sparta Prague (H)

• Bratislava (A)

For more on each team checkout the post linked below. 👇

Previous Results

• Manchester City beat Chelsea (A) 2-0 and Ipswich (H) 5-1 in their first two Premier League matches.

• West Ham lost to Aston Villa (H) 1-2 in their first Premier League match and beat Crystal Palace (A) 0-2 last weekend.

Notable Injuries:

• Manchester City will be without Oscar Bobb (leg fracture). Rodri and Mateo Kovacic have both returned to training. Phil Foden is likely not involved as Guardiola said Phil “still doesn’t feel good”.

• West Ham have no players out due to injury.

If you want to stay up to date with all the players minutes this season then check out the live google sheet linked below.

Opposition Setup Here

Against Crystal Palace, this was the team that West Ham played. Filled with talent from top to bottom. Particularly the threat both wingers provide in Bowen and Kudus. Paqueta we all know could have been a Manchester City player and Kilman has had a huge impact on their back line since arriving. Far more organised and a player willing to drive forward into space with the ball.

David Moyes has left but it will take time for his style to leave West Ham as Lopetegui tries to implement his. Certainly, in the first couple of matches, they look like a team trying to find its identity. How they press, build up, and take control of possession will have growing pains but the talent is clear to see.

Areola is an excellent shot-stopper on his day and has the potential to make this match difficult for City.

The choice of full-backs from West Ham will be important for this match. If there was one player last season that looked capable of handling Jeremy Doku 1v1 it was Aaron Wan-Bissaka who has joined from Man United.

West Ham will have more options off the bench, likely that he’s not starting but Summerville is one to keep an eye on. Arriving from Leeds United this summer. Fulkrug off the bench gives them another option up top from Antonio.

Manchester City Setup here 

My expectation for this match is a very similar approach to what we saw in the opening couple of matches. Without any real reason through injury to change the team.

Below is how City scored their third goal against Ipswich Town, Kevin De Bruyne finding space on the flank. Given how much success Jeremy Doku had against West Ham last season, in both matches, it’s likely he starts the match. The link up between him and De Bruyne should cause them a lot of issues.

For the full review of Manchester City 4-1 Ipswich click here.

Ideally using the second half as the option for rotating players in with minutes. With the international break coming up, it’ll be after that in the League Cup and Champions League where we will see a heavily rotated team week-to-week.

Possible changes I’d look at would be whether Stones, Ake, or Walker could come into the back line. Gundogan for Bernardo. Jack Grealish could be under consideration after not starting the first two matches.

I guess that we stick with the setup that has worked well so far and the players that have performed in those matches. Jeremy Doku had two excellent games against West Ham last season so I wouldn’t swap him for Grealish this match.

Final Predictions

Ones to Watch: 

• Manchester City: It’s the wide areas that I keep going back to in the opening games and against West Ham last season we saw the impact of Jeremy Doku. He turned Coufal inside out in both matches last season, whether it’s him or Aaron Wan-Bisaka up against Doku, that is the battle to watch.

• West Ham: Mohammed Kudus is a phenomenal talent that led the Premier League last season in successful take-ons (124) and leads the league this season after two matches. If West Ham can find him on the break, to drag Kovacic out of position as he attacks the back line then City will be in trouble.

Predicted Lineup:

Season Average: 10.5/11

Predicted Score: West Ham 1-3 Manchester City

Other

Thoughts on Squad Depth 24/25

Huge Sign of Confidence in James McAtee

The closest thing you'll find to having a conversation with Pep Guardiola. Incredible insight into the past years as well as what the future might hold. This season and beyond.

LAST WORD👋

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