Manchester City vs West Ham – Betting Preview

Game: Manchester City vs West Ham United
Competition: Barclays Premier League
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester
Time: 20:00 GMT

Manchester City look to get back to winning ways as they host West Ham on Monday. City won their opening four games in convincing fashion only to lose at Old Trafford under controversial circumstances. West Ham find themselves in the bottom three going into the game. But they have played two games less and have too much quality in their squad to stay at the foot of the table for long.

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12Bet
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Form guide – Manchester City (most recently played game on top)
v. Fulham (Win) 2-1 (aet) (Barry,Toure)
v. Manchester United(Loss) 3-4 (Barry, Bellamy *2)
v. Arsenal(Win) 4-2 (Richards, Bellamy, Adebayor, SWP)
v. Portsmouth (Win) 1-0 (Adebayor)

City are likely to go into the game with the same line up that started against Fulham. Roque Santa Cruz is available for selection after a long term injury. He would most likely start on the bench. Michael Johnson also is in contention after coming through a closed-doors friendly. Robinho, Vincent Kompany, Benjani are all injured. Micah Richards is a doubt for the game with a shoulder problem.

Form guide – West Ham United (most recently played game on top)
v. Bolton (Loss) 1-3 (aet) (Illunga)
v. Liverpool (Loss) 2-3 (Cole, Diamanti)
v. Wigan (Loss) 0-1
v. Blackburn (Draw) 0-0

West Ham have been in wretched form having lost their last three games in all competitions, but have won their last game they played against the Citizens. A Jack Collison goal was enough to give them a 1-0 win at Upton Park last season. But at CoMS, they suffered a comprehensive 2-0 defeat.

Zola has received a boost on the injury front. New signing Franco and Luis Jimenez have both returned to training and are in contention for a starting berth. Matthew Upson also has trained on Saturday. Valron Behrami may make the bench after limping out of West Ham’s last league game.

Match verdict: Man City have not lost a single game at home this season. But they haven’t been overtly convincing either. I still back them to shade this one albeit just. A scrappy 2-1 win for the Citizens.
Manchester City 2-1 West Ham (Tevez, Lescott, Cole)