Man City Vs West Ham

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided an update on several key players ahead of their upcoming match, revealing that both goalkeeper Ederson and central defender Ruben Dias are nearing a return to fitness. However, despite their recovery, Guardiola has confirmed that this particular game will come too soon for them to be included in the squad. The absence of these two influential figures in the starting lineup will leave Manchester City without some of their most crucial defensive and goalkeeping resources.

In addition to the expected absence of Ederson and Dias, there are other notable players who will miss out on this match. Midfielder Matheus Nunes and defender John Stones are both likely to remain sidelined due to injury. These two key players have been struggling with fitness concerns, and it seems unlikely that either will make a return in time for this match. Moreover, long-term absentees Oscar Bobb and Rodri are also unavailable for selection. Bobb, who has been sidelined for an extended period, and Rodri, whose absence has been felt particularly in the midfield, continue to recover from their respective injuries, meaning that their contributions will not be available in the immediate future.

Meanwhile, West Ham United have their own injury issues to contend with. The Hammers will be without one of their key attacking players, Jarrod Bowen, who sustained a fractured foot during West Ham’s home defeat to Liverpool. This injury is a significant blow for the London club, as Bowen has been one of their standout performers this season. His absence leaves a gap in West Ham's attacking options, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust to his unavailability in this crucial Premier League match.

Additionally, West Ham's goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will also miss out on this fixture after suffering a head injury in the team's Boxing Day clash with Southampton. Fabianski, who has been a regular presence between the posts for West Ham, was forced to leave the field during the match against Southampton, and it has been confirmed that he will not be available for this upcoming game. As a result, backup goalkeeper Alphonse Areola will step in to fill Fabianski's shoes and continue in goal for West Ham.

However, there is some positive news for the Hammers in terms of player availability. Midfielders Guido Rodriguez and Tomas Soucek, who were both suspended for recent matches, are now eligible for selection once again. Their return to the fold gives manager David Moyes a boost in the middle of the park, as both players are integral to West Ham’s midfield setup. Their presence could be crucial in helping to stabilize the team's performance as they look to bounce back from recent setbacks.

As for the match itself, the historical head-to-head between Manchester City and West Ham paints a dominant picture for the home side. In the past 15 Premier League meetings between these two teams at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City have emerged victorious in 14 of them, with West Ham managing just one win. This impressive record includes a current winning streak of eight consecutive victories for Manchester City against West Ham on their home turf. The Hammers have struggled to get the better of City in recent years, and their poor record in these encounters highlights the challenge they face when visiting the reigning Premier League champions.

In fact, West Ham are currently on an 18-match winless run against Manchester City in the Premier League, which equates to their longest such streak in the league’s history. The only other comparable streak was a 1983 to 1994 stretch in which West Ham failed to win against Liverpool. This statistic will undoubtedly weigh heavily on the minds of the West Ham players as they prepare for another difficult trip to face a side of City’s calibre.

Another telling stat for West Ham is their defensive vulnerability against Manchester City. In each of the past 24 Premier League fixtures between these two teams, West Ham have conceded at least one goal. This poor defensive record will be a concern for Moyes as he looks to shore up his team’s backline in a bid to prevent City from exploiting their weaknesses.

Turning to Manchester City, it has been a season of ups and downs for the defending champions. The team has had its fair share of challenges, particularly at home. In their last five home matches across all competitions, City have managed just one victory, with two draws and two defeats. Their most recent win, a 2-0 triumph over Leicester, was a much-needed boost, but it marked only their second victory in 14 matches across all competitions, with three draws and nine losses in that time. This recent dip in form has raised questions about whether City can maintain their usual level of dominance, especially as they face teams like West Ham, who will be eager to take advantage of any perceived weaknesses.

Despite these struggles, there are some encouraging signs for Manchester City. The team has historically started the new year strong, having won 17 of their last 18 Premier League matches in the opening fixture of the calendar year. In fact, they have won the opening league match of the new year for 12 consecutive seasons, dating back to a 1-0 loss at Sunderland in 2012. This impressive record suggests that City will be determined to maintain their strong start to 2024, especially with the title race heating up.

One player who could be key to Manchester City's fortunes in this match is Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker has been in excellent form against West Ham, scoring seven goals in just five Premier League appearances against the Hammers. However, it is worth noting that Haaland has scored just once at the Etihad Stadium in these encounters. Despite his prolific record against West Ham, Haaland has gone four Premier League home games without scoring since his goal in a 1-0 win over Southampton in October. As a player of Haaland’s calibre, it’s only a matter of time before he finds the back of the net again, and this game presents another opportunity for him to break his current goal drought.

On the other hand, West Ham will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 5-0 defeat to Liverpool in their previous match. The loss ended a four-match unbeaten run in the Premier League for the Hammers, a run that had included three wins and one draw. In their most recent loss, West Ham failed to register a single shot on target against Liverpool, marking the first time since May 2021 that they had been unable to do so in a Premier League match. This performance will no doubt be a source of frustration for manager David Moyes, as it highlighted some of the attacking struggles that have plagued West Ham this season.

The defeat to Liverpool also marked a new low for West Ham in terms of defensive frailty. The Hammers have conceded a staggering 79 goals in the Premier League in 2024, the most of any team in the competition. This defensive collapse is their worst calendar-year defensive record since 1967 when they conceded 85 goals. With such poor defensive numbers, West Ham will need to tighten up at the back if they are to have any hope of competing with the likes of Manchester City.

There have been some positive signs for West Ham in their away form, however. Under Moyes, the team has managed to remain unbeaten in their last two away games, picking up a draw at Bournemouth and a win at Southampton. Additionally, West Ham have failed to score in only one of their nine Premier League away games this season, a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in November. This attacking consistency away from home could serve them well against City, as they look to exploit any potential gaps in City’s defense.

As the match approaches, all eyes will be on both teams as they look to build on their respective goals for the remainder of the season. Manchester City will be keen to return to winning ways at home and continue their pursuit of another Premier League title, while West Ham will aim to recover from their recent setbacks and make a statement against one of the league's most formidable sides. The outcome of this match could have significant implications for both clubs as they navigate the busy winter period in the Premier League.