Sport Nation 2Manchester City aims to continue their flawless start to the Premier League season with an away match against West Ham United on Saturday evening. After winning the FA Community Shield, Pep Guardiola’s side has secured victories against Chelsea and Ipswich Town, earning six points from their first two league games.
As the campaign’s first international break approaches, Guardiola’s primary concern will be maintaining the fitness and health of his squad while targeting another victory against West Ham, managed by Julen Lopetegui. Historically, City has a strong record against the Hammers, remaining unbeaten in their last 19 encounters. Their most recent meeting saw City clinch the Premier League title with a 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium, highlighted by Phil Foden’s two stunning goals and a second-half strike from Rodri.
Team News and Predicted Line-Up
Rodri, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, might make his first appearance of the season in this match. However, Phil Foden, dealing with ongoing fitness issues, is set to miss the trip to London.
In goal, Ederson remains a consistent presence for City in Premier League matches, with backup keeper Stefan Ortega staying in the wings after earlier transfer speculations failed to materialize. In defense, Rico Lewis is expected to retain his starting position following an impressive start to the season that earned him a call-up to the senior England squad. This means that veteran Kyle Walker may have to wait a bit longer for his first start of the campaign.
Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji are likely to be Guardiola’s choices in central defense, given their solid partnership. Josko Gvardiol, who has performed well at left-back, is anticipated to start over Nathan Ake. The options for rotation are plenty, but Guardiola may choose to maintain stability at the back for this match.
In midfield, Mateo Kovacic is expected to continue his fine form in the absence of Rodri, as confirmed by Guardiola in his pre-match press conference. Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, both critical to City’s success, are likely to feature in the starting XI, providing creativity and control in the middle of the park.
Up front, Erling Haaland, who has already scored four goals in his last two games, will undoubtedly start. Haaland’s sights are set on breaking his own record of 36 league goals, and a match against West Ham offers another opportunity to add to his tally. With Foden out, Guardiola is expected to rely on the dynamic wing duo of Jeremy Doku and Savinho to provide pace and width, continuing to pose a threat to opposition defenses.
Predicted Manchester City XI:
- Goalkeeper: Ederson
- Defenders: Rico Lewis, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol
- Midfielders: Mateo Kovacic, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva
- Forwards: Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, Savinho
Substitutes: Stefan Ortega, Scott Carson, Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Rodri, O’Reilly, James McAtee, Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish
Conclusion
Manchester City’s visit to West Ham is set to be an exciting fixture, with the away side looking to extend their winning streak. Guardiola’s line-up will likely reflect a balance of attacking prowess and defensive solidity, aiming to secure another three points before the international break. The anticipated absences of Rodri and Foden might present challenges, but City’s depth and talent ensure that they are well-equipped to handle the rigors of the Premier League. As the match approaches, all eyes will be on how Guardiola’s tactical choices will influence the outcome at the London Stadium.
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