West Ham United vs Manchester City
As Premier League contests go, this has been decidedly one-sided over the past decade.
Manchester City’s strength means they have not only beaten West Ham on the majority of occasions but repeatedly humbled them.
Will that happen again though this weekend?
After all, one side will have had nearly a week off and confidence will be sky high after a remarkable comeback against Spurs in which they netted three times in the final 10 minutes.
The other was involved in a hard-fought European tie until late on Wednesday evening and now has to regroup for a quick turnaround and a Saturday lunchtime trip to East London.
Those factors could be levellers as City go in search of more Premier League highlights at the London Stadium.
Talking Points
City have had a busy week.
A Raheem Sterling goal was enough to see off Arsenal last weekend before Porto were defeated in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, after their late show at Spurs, West Ham have been able to fully focus on this contest and welcome new loan signing from Brentford, exciting winger Said Benrahma, into the fold.
That recruit was a rare bright spot for the Hammers at the end of a miserable summer transfer window but, coupled with the last-gasp fightback at Spurs, morale among David Moyes’ men could be higher than is generally realised.
With the season still in its infancy, Moyes’ men rank third in the division for total shots so far, having attempted to find the net 58 times which places them behind only Liverpool (72) and Tottenham (64).
In addition, the Hammers have – incredibly – faced only eight shots on target so far; that is the fewest in the top-flight and is four fewer than City despite Pep Guardiola’s side having a game in hand.
So that tells us that West Ham have either been unfortunate to concede when they have and/or that with less profligacy, they could quickly climb the table.
What is much clearer is that in the four and a bit years since they swapped Upton Park for the regenerated Stratford, West Ham have lost something of their home swagger.
Indeed, two managers later, one of them having managed the team twice, hundreds of millions spent on new players, legal arguments, mass protests and a claret carpet later, they finished last season nine places worse off than they were when they moved.
That has to change if they are to make progress. A more positive result against opponents who have proved to be their bogey team and more in recent years would be a good start for the East End faithful.
History
City have enjoyed their visits to play West Ham, particularly since they moved from Upton Park to the former Olympic Stadium four years ago.
Since then they have met five times in the east end of London and won the lot by an aggregate score of 22-1!
One of those came in the FA Cup with all the others in the top flight, including on the opening day of last season when, as defending champions, they brushed the Hammers aside with an arrogant ease.
It was a match in which Sterling netted a hat-trick with Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero added the others.
The game was also notable for Jesus becoming the first ever Premier League player to have a goal disallowed by VAR (for offside).
City also won the return fixture in February with Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne scoring the goals in each half in a 2-0 success. The match had originally been postponed due to Strom Ciara earlier in February.
City have actually won the last nine meetings in all competitions with West Ham, scoring 30 goals and conceding just three.
Overall, West Ham have won on 37 occasions with 58 City triumphs and 17 draws.
The last time West Ham beat City at home was in October 2014 when Morgan Amalfitano and Diafra Sakho were on target in a 2-1 win.
They also held City to a 2-2 draw in their final meeting at Upton Park in January 2016 when an Aguero double cancelled out an Enner Valencia brace.
Betting Tip
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West Ham United vs Manchester City | Over 3.50 @ 2.06 |
| October 24, 19:30 (GMT+8) |
Based on what you’ve just read, you will hardly be surprised to hear that the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds back City all the way.
1X2 @ 1.40 in fact with West Ham 1X2 @ 7.40. The draw is available @ 4.60.
First Half 1X2 backs City 1.84 with the Hammers, again, well adrift @ 6.20 and the draw @ 2.53.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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