Premier League preview and odds: West Ham United vs Manchester City

Published on: 22/01/2016

Premier League preview and odds: West Ham United vs Manchester City

January 23, 2016 17:30pm - Boleyn Ground

Premier League

West Ham United can give their European hopes a lift on Saturday when they welcome title favourites Manchester City to the Boleyn Ground in the Barclays Premier League.

One defeat in nine for Hammers

West Ham come into their match on the back of their first defeat in nine matches - a run that stretched back to November 2015. The 2-1 defeat came at the hands of 18th-ranked Newcastle United, and leaves the Hammers in sixth place, just two points behind the first European qualification position.

On home soil, Slaven Bilic`s men have not lost a game since Match Day Two way back in August when they lost a 3-4 thriller against AFC Bournemouth. In their last home game, they comfortable saw off the challenge of Liverpool to record a 2-0 victory.

City ready to pounce

A run of five games without defeat has left Manchester City in third place in the Premier League just a point behind leaders Arsenal. As a result, they remain the bookies favourites to take the league crown.

In their last game, they put in perhaps their most convincing performance in recent weeks when they demolished Crystal Palace by four goals to nil. In that game, Sergio Aguero scored his second and third goals of 2016 to take his seasons tally to 10. The Citizens will be hoping that the Argentine international can remain fit for the rest of their campaign.

Away from home, Manuel Pellgrini`s men have not been hugely successful, having won just one of their last seven road trips - however, that win did come last time out at Watford.

Team news

The home side will have to make do without Andy Carroll, Manuel Lanzini, Diafra Sakho, while James Tomkins is a doubt after picking up a knock last time out.

Meanwhile, the visitors are still without Captain Vincent Kompany, Sami Nasri and Aleksander Kolarov, while Fernandinho, Eliaquim Mangala and Wilfried Bony are all on the doubtful list.

Recent form (League)

West Ham United: LWWWD

Manchester City: WDWDW

Betting odds and tips

West Ham are string at home and have not been defeated at the Boleyn since August (W4 D4), while City have won just one of their last seven away games (W1 D3 L3).

The draw looks like a good value bet at 3/1 with Bet365. Alternatively, the West Ham-Draw Double Chance has paid out in their last eight home games and can be backed at 6/5 with Stan James.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 22/01/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (22/01/2016 11:58:28) but are subject to change.