Manchester City’s perfect start to the season continues. The league leaders just squeaked by with their 100 percent record intact after edging out a dangerous Crystal Palace last week. However, City’s sterling slate will be under threat once again this weekend, as they host a resurgent West Ham team that has already caused a couple of big upsets against the Premier League’s elite.
Get a full breakdown of this potentially tricky matchup for the Premier League front-runners with our preview below. Also, don’t forget to check out our other comprehensive previews of this weekend’s Premier League action, specifically Chelsea vs. Arsenal and Liverpool vs. Norwich.
[sc:Soccer ]Manchester City vs. West Ham United Preview
Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
When: Saturday, September 19, 12:30 PM ET
Line: Manchester City -495 vs. West Ham United +900, tie +460; total 3.5 – view all EPL lines
Betting on Manchester City
Man City can’t quite solve the Champions League just yet, as they blew a home lead in a 2-1 loss to Juventus in midweek. City should welcome a return to league football, where they have been simply sensational.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]City have a 100 percent record through five games, with 11 goals scored and none conceded. However, they were a bit lucky to come away with all three points against Crystal Palace last time out. With David Silva out and Sergio Aguero injuried early in the first half, City needed teenager Kelechi Iheanacho to come off the bench and score the winning goal late in the game.
Aguero missed the loss against Juve, but is set to make his return against the Hammers. Aguero has had a terrific goal scoring record against West Ham. He’s scored five times against them in their last seven meetings. Aguero and the ferocious City front line will be going up against a West Ham defense that will be missing starting central defender Angelo Ogbonna.
City had their own injury scare as captain and central defender Vincent Kompany was taken off against Juve due to a calf injury. However, Kompany has said that his substitution was just a precaution and he should be fit to play against West Ham.
City have been incredibly dominant against West Ham, especially at home. They’ve won their last seven home games in a row in all competitions against the Hammers, scoring at least two goals in all seven games.
Betting on West Ham United
Slaven Bilic’s West Ham have been springing some big-time upsets early on this season. Under their new manager, the Hammers have won three of their first five games, including huge away wins at Arsenal (2-0) and at Liverpool (3-0), as they’ve risen up to fifth in the table.
West Ham even managed a first home win of the season last time out against struggling Newcastle. Dimitri Payet scored a brace in their impressive 2-0 win. Payet has made an immediate impact upon his arrival over the summer, and has inspired an offense that’s scored 11 goals thus far (tied for first in the league).
The Hammers have scored in each of their first five games thus far, and could cause some problems against a City defense that might have a gimpy Kompany in the middle of its defense. The likes of Payet, Victor Moses and Diafra Sakho will be dangerous threats to spring quick counterattacks. Sakho scored the winning goal in West Ham’s big 2-1 home win against City last season.
The West Ham defense has been pretty solid, keeping clean sheets in consecutive games. They will also have first-choice goalkeeper Adrian back after a three-game suspension. The midfield duo of Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate have been very solid in terms of protecting the defense, and will have to hold their own against the center of City’s attack.
Writer’s Prediction
City concede their first goal of the season, but Aguero powers City to a comfortable 3-1 win against the Hammers. Create a betting account now and wager on all the heart-pounding Premier League action at the comfort of your own home with America’s top online sportsbook.
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