Manchester City vs West Ham Preview
- City to win
- Haaland to score
The Etihad Stadium plays host to a high stakes Premier League encounter as Manchester City take on a beleaguered West Ham side.
City aim to build momentum after a shaky spell, while the Hammers are desperate to reverse their fortunes amid mounting pressure on manager Julen Lopetegui.
Manchester City: Building Momentum
Manchester City returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Leicester City, though Pep Guardiola’s men were far from their imperious best.
The reigning champions will hope that a return to the Etihad and their strong record against West Ham will help reignite their push for consistent form.
City have been dominant in this fixture, winning 14 of their last 15 Premier League home games against the Hammers.
Additionally, they boast an impressive record in New Year fixtures, having won 17 of their last 18 league games to start a calendar year, including the last 12 consecutively.
However, recent performances at the Etihad have raised questions. City have won just one of their last five competitive home matches (D2, L2), conceding 10 goals during this run—an uncharacteristically high figure for Guardiola’s usually rock-solid side.
Erling Haaland’s return to the scoresheet against Leicester is a positive sign, as the Norwegian striker looks to continue his dominance against West Ham, having scored seven goals in five Premier League encounters with them.
West Ham: Under Pressure
West Ham’s season hit a new low with a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool, leaving them winless in their last 18 Premier League meetings with Manchester City.
This dismal run against the defending champions equals their longest-ever winless streak against a single opponent in league history.
Julen Lopetegui finds himself on the brink, with bookmakers tipping him as the most likely Premier League manager to lose his job next.
The Hammers have conceded more goals than any other top-flight team in 2024 (79), and their defensive frailties were laid bare in the Liverpool loss.
Away from home, West Ham will need to produce a near-flawless defensive display to have any chance of halting City’s attacking juggernaut.
Tomáš Souček, one of the few bright spots this season with four league goals, will hope to make an impact despite never scoring in 10 career appearances against City.
Key Players to Watch
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Haaland broke his three-game Premier League goal drought with a strike against Leicester, taking his season tally to 20 goals. His record against West Ham is outstanding, with seven goals in five matches. The Norwegian’s physicality and movement will be a constant threat to West Ham’s vulnerable defence.
Tomáš Souček (West Ham)
Souček has been one of West Ham’s most reliable performers this season, contributing four league goals from midfield. His aerial prowess and knack for arriving late in the box could provide the Hammers with a much-needed offensive outlet.
Tactical Analysis and Key Battles
City’s Attack vs West Ham’s Defence
West Ham’s leaky defence, which conceded 79 goals in 2024, faces a daunting challenge against one of the league’s most potent attacking sides. City’s ability to overload the flanks and create spaces for Haaland who will likely stretch West Ham’s backline.
Midfield Control
The midfield battle will be critical. Kevin De Bruyne’s vision and ball control provide the foundation for City’s dominance, while West Ham will rely on Souček to disrupt their rhythm and launch counter-attacks.
Set-Pieces
West Ham’s size advantage could make set-pieces a potential area to exploit, but City’s organisation in defending dead-ball situations will be a tough barrier to break.
Predicted Outcome
Manchester City’s dominance in this fixture, coupled with West Ham’s defensive issues and poor form, makes the hosts heavy favourites. While West Ham may try to frustrate City with a defensive setup, their vulnerabilities are likely to be exposed by the home side’s relentless attack.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 West Ham
Final Thoughts
This match presents an opportunity for City to reassert their home dominance and gain much-needed momentum in their title defence. For West Ham, it’s about damage limitation and finding a spark to ignite a turnaround in their season.
With Erling Haaland back among the goals and West Ham’s defensive fragility, this clash has all the makings of a comfortable victory for the reigning champions.
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Man City v West Ham, 2024/25 | Premier League