Manchester City’s first Premier League clash of 2025 is a visit to struggling West Ham United.
The reigning champions had won just one of their last 13 games in all competitions before last weekend’s trip to the King Power Stadium, but secured an important, if unconvincing, victory in the East Midlands. Savinho was instrumental in the triumph that saw City break the 30-point barrier.
A visit from West Ham would normally seem like a routine victory for Pep Guardiola’s side, but their recent form has been dismal. They have won just one of their last five home games and stumbled to a 1-1 draw against Everton in their last Etihad game.
The Hammers were in improved form ahead of their 5-0 win against league leaders Liverpool, with the pressure on head coach Julen Lopetegui having eased. They are now eight points above the relegation zone but will be wary of falling back into old habits.
Here is 90 minutes Guide to Man City vs West Ham.
Man City vs West Ham H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
Man City | West Ham |
|---|---|
Leicester 0-2 Man City – 12/29/24 | West Ham 0-5 Liverpool – 12/29/24 |
Man City 1-1 Everton – 12/26/24 | Southampton 0-1 West Ham – 12/26/24 |
Aston Villa 2-1 Man City – 12/21/24 | West Ham 1-1 Brighton – 12/21/24 |
Man City 1-2 Man Utd – 12/15/24 | Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham – 16/12/24 |
Juventus 2-0 Man City – 11/12/24 | West Ham 2-1 Wolves – 09/12/24 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Radio commentary and updates on The Pitch Prospect, BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio 5 live |
United States | peacock |
Canada | fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 7 Canada |
Guardiola has revealed that none of the players missing from last weekend’s trip to Leicester will be available to face West Ham. Rodri and Oscar Bobb are out long-term, while Matheus Nunes and John Stones are also injured.
Ruben Dias is getting “better” according to Guardiola, but won’t be available against the Irons, leaving City somewhat short-changed at centre-back. The Spaniard also announced that regular goalkeeper Ederson would return to action “soon”.
Predicted Man City line-up against West Ham (3-2-4-1): Ortega; Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Lewis, Kovacic; Foden, De Bruyne, Silva, Savinho; Haaland.
West Ham don’t have many injuries, but they are missing some key players. They were dealt a devastating blow this week after it was revealed that talisman Jarrod Bowen had broken his foot in the defeat to Liverpool, which is likely to sideline him for a lengthy period.
Michail Antonio is out long-term after breaking his leg in a car accident and Lukasz Fabianski is also out as he recovers from a head injury against Southampton. Alphonse Areola returned to the starting eleven against Liverpool and will start again.
Expected West Ham line-up against Man City (4-2-3-1): areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Kudu, Paqueta, Summerville; Full jug.
Manchester City certainly didn’t blow Leicester away last time out, but their triumph will serve as a huge confidence boost. The arrival of Bowen-less West Ham gives them a golden opportunity to claim back-to-back wins for the first time since late October.
Without their main creator and goalscorer, it will be difficult for West Ham to seriously threaten the City goal, even if the Cityzens’ defense has been disorganized in recent weeks. The Irons are struggling to score goals and will need to capitalize on the rare occasions they turn the ball over at the Etihad.