Manchester City’s first match in the Premier League in 2025 is against struggling West Ham United.
The reigning champions had won just one of their previous 13 games in all competitions before traveling to the King Power Stadium last weekend, but secured an important if unconvincing win in the East Midlands. Savinho performed in triumphwith which City crossed the 30-point mark.
Visiting 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 drew 1-1 with Everton in their last away game at the Etihad.
The Hammers were in improved form ahead of them 5-0 batting in the hands of top Liverpool, and the pressure eased on head coach Julen Lopetegui. They are now eight points above the relegation zone, but will be wary of falling back into old habits.
Here 90 minutes a guide to Man City in relation to West Ham.
Man City vs West Ham H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Man City |
West Ham |
|---|---|
|
Leicester 0-2 Man City – 29.12.24 |
West Ham 0-5 Liverpool – 29.12.24 |
|
Man City 1-1 Everton – 26.12.24 |
Southampton 0-1 West Ham – 26.12.24 |
|
Aston Villa 2-1 Man City – 21.12.24 |
West Ham 1-1 Brighton – 21.12.24 |
|
Man City 1-2 Man Utd – 15.12.24 |
Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham – 16.12.24 |
|
Juventus 2-0 Man City – 12.11.24 |
West Ham 2-1 Wolves – 12.09.24 |
|
Earth |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
Great Britain |
Radio commentary and updates on talkSPORT, BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio 5 live |
|
United States |
Peacock |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 7 Canada |
Guardiola revealed that none of those missing for last weekend’s trip to Leicester will be available against West Ham. Rodri and Oscar Bobb are long-term absentees, while Matheus Nunes and John Stones are also injured.
Ruben Dias is “getting better” according to Guardiola, but he won’t be available against the Irons, leaving City a little short at centre-back. The Spaniard also announced that first-choice goalkeeper Ederson will return to action “soon”.
Predicted line-up of Man City against West Ham (3-2-4-1): Ortega; Akanji, Ake, Guardiol; Lewis, Kovačić; Foden, De Bruyne, Silva, Savinho; Haaland.
West Ham do not have many injuries, but they are missing some key personnel. 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, potentially ruling him out for an extended period.
Michail Antonio is out for a long time broke his leg in a car accident and Lukasz Fabianski is also missing as he recovers from a head injury sustained against Southampton. Alphonse Areola is back in the XI against Liverpool and will start again.
Predicted line-up for West Ham vs Man City (4-2-3-1): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Kudus, Paqueta, Summerville; Full circle.
Manchester City certainly didn’t wow Leicester last time out, but their triumph will serve as a huge confidence boost. West Ham’s arrival without Bowen offers an excellent opportunity to secure back-to-back wins for the first time since late October.
Without their main creator and goalscorer, West Ham may struggle to pose any serious threat to City’s goal, even if the Cityzens’ defense has been disorganized in recent weeks. The Irons are struggling for goals and will need to capitalize on the rare chances they turn the ball over at the Etihad.
Prediction: Man City 2-0 West Ham
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