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West Ham face an uphill task against Manchester City when they host them at the London Olympic Stadium on Saturday.
After a rocky start to the season, West Ham’s manager, Julen Lopetegui, has begun to find his footing with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend a massive confidence boost.
That victory, secured by goals from Tomáš Souček and Jarrod Bowen, and a solid defensive display from new signings Max Kilman and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, provided a much-needed boost.
However, Lopetegui faces a daunting challenge as he aims to turn around the Hammers’ fortunes against the reigning champions.
West Ham’s task is particularly tough given their recent record against Manchester City. The Hammers are winless in their last 17 Premier League encounters with City, including 14 defeats.
Manchester City has been especially dominant in away matches against West Ham, scoring 27 goals in their last 42 trips to the London Stadium, the most they’ve managed against any opponent on the road.
Pep Guardiola’s City side comes into this match with formidable form. They have won their opening games of the season with ease, dispatching Chelsea 2-0 and Ipswich 4-1.
Their current unbeaten run in the Premier League extends to 21 games (18 wins, 3 draws), marking their longest-ever streak to start a calendar year.
City's away form is equally impressive, with a 16-match unbeaten run across all competitions and five consecutive wins without conceding.
Players to Watch:
- Michail Antonio (West Ham): The Hammers’ striker is on the cusp of a milestone, needing just one more goal or assist to reach 100 Premier League contributions (67 goals, 32 assists) for West Ham. His performance will be crucial as West Ham looks to challenge City’s defense.
- Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City): The Belgian playmaker has been a consistent thorn in West Ham’s side, contributing nine goals and assists in 14 Premier League matches against them (3 goals, 6 assists). His ability to control the game and create opportunities will be key for City.
Manchester City has led at both half-time and full-time in nine of their last 11 Premier League matches, highlighting their dominance and ability to control games from start to finish.
This match promises to be a compelling test for both teams, with West Ham hoping to defy the odds and Manchester City aiming to continue their imperious form.
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