Manchester City vs West Ham Preview
Posted on | September 21, 2006 | No Comments
Stuart Pearce’s side is in a slump. Manchester City are facing a barren spell. They have won just one game this season, ironically against Arsenal, and lie seventeenth in the table, flirting dangerously with relegation. After crashing out unceremoniously in the League Cup at the hands of lowly Chesterfield in midweek, City will be looking to bag all three points when the come up against Alan Pardew’s Hammers.
City have been terribly unlucky with injuries. First choice Swedish shot-stopper Andreas Isaksson is out for a month. Also injured are first team regulars Hatem Trabelsi and Darius Vassell. Nedum Onouha has failed to recover from a calf strain. New recruit Ousmane Dabo is suspended following his elbow in the face of Steve Sidwell. Da Marcus Beasley will provide the width on the left of the pitch and he will make his home debut in this game. Both of City’s goals in the Premiership have been scored by the tenacious Joey Barton and the midfielder will play a pivotal role in Saturday’s game. Its a must win game for City and Pearce, a game they need to win at all costs.
West Ham raised a few eyebrows when they signed Tevez and Mascherano in the transfer window, but they will need to raise their game too, if they have any hope of getting three points at CoMS. The Hammers put on a poor display to lose 0-2 to an average Newcastle side. Dean Ashton and John Pantsil are out due to injury but Northern Irish recruit George Mccartney may make his Hammers’ debut. Bobby Zamora has scored four already this season and in all likelihood, he will partner Tevez up front.
My Verdict: Its a tough call. Real tough. Both sides have the ability to blow away any opposition on their day, but generally they do not play to their potential. I see City sneaking a narrow 2-1 win. Samaras, Barton and Zamora to score. City to score first !
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