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Manchester City continue their quest for a fifth consecutive Premier League title with an away match against West Ham United on Saturday. The defending champions have started the 2024/25 season in dominant fashion, comfortably defeating Chelsea and newly-promoted Ipswich Town in their opening matches. Meanwhile, West Ham, under the guidance of Julen Lopetegui, have had a mixed start to the season but are looking to build momentum after recent victories. As they prepare to face a formidable Manchester City side, both teams will be eager to secure crucial points in this early-season clash.
Match Details
- Location: London, England
- Stadium: London Stadium
- Date: Saturday, 31 August
- Kick-off Time: 22:15 NST | 12:30 ET | 09:30 PT
- Referee: Michael Oliver
- VAR: Darren England
Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
- West Ham: 0 wins
- Man City: 4 wins
- Draws: 1
Manchester City have a dominant recent history against West Ham, remaining unbeaten against the London club in the Premier League since 2015. This record includes seven wins in their last ten encounters across all competitions, showcasing their superiority in this fixture.
West Ham Team News
West Ham approach this match with a clean bill of health, a rare situation that comes as a welcome boost for Lopetegui's side. The recent return of Edson Alvarez to the starting lineup during the midweek Carabao Cup match is a positive sign, alongside appearances from summer signings Crysencio Summerville, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Niclas Fullkrug. However, it's expected that West Ham will stick with a lineup similar to the one that secured a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in their last league outing.
Predicted West Ham Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Areola
- Defenders: Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson
- Midfielders: Rodriguez, Soucek
- Attacking Midfielders: Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus
- Forward: Antonio
Manchester City Team News
Manchester City have started the season without some key players but have nonetheless maintained their winning form. Rodri, a crucial figure in City's midfield, remains a doubt as he recovers from a hamstring injury, potentially missing this fixture. Oscar Bobb is sidelined for several months with a leg injury, and Mateo Kovacic, who picked up a knock against Ipswich, is expected to be fit enough to feature. Phil Foden, who missed the last game due to illness, is set to return. Erling Haaland will lead the attack and will be aiming for a third consecutive hat-trick in this fixture, while Jack Grealish and Ilkay Gundogan may also be in line to start.
Predicted Manchester City Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Ederson
- Defenders: Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol
- Midfielders: Gundogan, Kovacic
- Attacking Midfielders: Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku
- Forward: Haaland