Background
West Ham United go looking for a third away win of the season on Saturday when they travel to league leaders Manchester City.
Following unexpected successes at Arsenal and Liverpool. Slaven Bilic’s men could claim a third major scalp of the year at the Etihad, although they will know it will be no easy task.
City already have a four point gap at the head of the Barclays Premier League table, having scored eleven goals and conceded none in their opening five games.
They look hungry for success after failing to back up their title winning 2013/14 campaign last term and all of West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea, Everton, Watford and Crystal Palace have come off second best against Manuel Pellegrini’s team this term.
A glimmer of hope for the Hammers will be that City lost their perfect record for the season on Tuesday when Juventus came from behind to defeat them 2-1 in their Champions League opener.
West Ham currently sit fifth in the table with nine points from their first five games, and have won their last two – against Liverpool and Newcastle United.
The history
West Ham’s record at Etihad Stadium is not one they will reflect on with a great deal of fondness.
It is ten visits since the Hammers last won on Manchester City’s home turf, when a Dean Ashton double gave them a 2-1 victory in the FA Cup quarter-final back in the 2005/06 season.
Overall, the Hammers have won 36 of the 100 previous meetings between the Clubs, with 48 Manchester City victories in the record books.
Former Hammers goalkeeper Richard Wright is City’s third-choice stopper, while the likes of Carlos Tevez, Craig Bellamy, Frank Lampard, Marc-Vivien Foe, Stuart Pearce, David James, Steve Lomas, Ian Bishop, Wayne Bridge and Eyal Berkovic have all turned out for both clubs in recent years.
Last season Morgan Amalfitano and Diafra Sakho scored as the Hammers defeated City 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground, but a James Collins own goal and Sergio Aguero consigned West Ham to a 2-0 loss at Etihad Stadium.
Match info
Team news
West Ham United
Slaven Bilic will be without defender Angelo Ogbonna for the trip to Etihad Stadium after the Italian suffered a hamstring injury in Monday’s victory over Newcastle. Carl Jenkinson is likely to come back in at right back, with James Tomkins moving to centre half.
Adrian also returns from suspension so Bilic will have a choice to make in goal, with Darren Randolph having kept consecutive clean sheets.
Alex Song continues his recovery from an ankle injury, while Enner Valencia (leg) and Joey O’Brien (calf) are also out.
Manchester City
Sergio Aguero could return to the starting XI after making the bench for the midweek defeat to Juventus, but Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Fabian Delph are all sidelined.
Vincent Kompany picked up a knock against Juventus, but is hopeful of proving his fitness in time to take on the Hammers.
Match facts
- Saturday’s referee is Robert Madley. In four appointments this season he has dished out 14 yellow cards and one red – to Watford’s Valon Behrami in their 1-0 victory over Swansea City last weekend. He will be assisted by Mick McDonough and Marc Perry, while Craig Pawson is the fourth official.
- Manchester City have won their last eleven Premier League games in a row. The English top flight record is held by Arsenal with 14 consecutive league wins.
- The Hammers are looking to win three successive away Premier League games for the first time since September 2007.
- Manuel Pellegrini’s side have gone nine hours and 26 minutes since last conceding a Premier League goal.
- Dimitri Payet has had a hand in eleven goals (four goals, seven assists) in his last 13 league appearances.
Tickets, travel, coverage and other info
- Tickets can be purchased in person at Manchester City’s South Stand Ticket Office from midday on the day of the game. Full details can be found here.
- West Ham will wear their new third kit for the first time at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Buy it now at officialwesthamstore.com
- A reasonable day weather-wise is predicted for Manchester tomorrow. Sunny spells and a high of 17C (63F) is forecast.
- Manchester City have produced an extensive guide for away supporters. Access it here.
- Supporters travelling by train can access up to the minute travel info at nationalrail.co.uk. Traffic information can be found at highways.gov.uk
- If you’re not heading to Etihad Stadium for the game, make sure you follow the game on our digital channels, with live audio, text updates, stats and photos on whufc.com’s live match centre. Get involved with the conversation on social using #MCIWHU