Man. City vs. West Ham Preview: EPL Matchweek 35

April 26, 2013

By Daire McAnallen

Manchester City will be coming to terms with failing to defend their Premier League title when they host West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off. United beat Aston Villa last Monday night, making it mathematically impossible for anyone to catch them, although the trophy was all but sealed and delivered to their doorstep some time ago. To compound matters, City also lost 3-1 away to Champions-League-hopefuls Spurs last Sunday so they’ll be hoping to make amends against another London club this weekend as they attempt to win four consecutive games at home. West Ham, meanwhile, reached 42 points with a 2-0 win against relegation-threatened Wigan last Saturday, which keeps them in 10th position and should secure their place in the league for next season. The Hammers were fortunate on the day but took their chances while Roberto Martinez’ side squandered theirs and they’ll be hoping to continue their five-match unbeaten run at the Etihad, although this fixture has been far from kind to them in the past with three defeats and one draw at this particular stadium.

The Citizens will have three hamstring-ravaged players back in contention with David Silva returning after three games out, while Sergio Aguero sat-out the defeat to Spurs and James Milner was forced off at half-time in that match. Another hamstring casualty, Jack Rodwell, could also be available after missing two months with the injury but full-backs Maicon and Micah Richards are still recovering from their knee injuries. The Irons will be without defensive pair George McCartney, who has a knee injury, and James Tomkins, who has a calf problem, but key midfielders Mark Noble and Joe Cole could return to the starting line-up after successful appearances from the bench in recent games. West Ham have drawn their last two away games, against Liverpool and Southampton, and also managed a commendable scoreless draw against City at the Boleyn Ground earlier in the season but getting a result at the Etihad may be beyond their grasp as City will no doubt be hoping to make a statement of intent for next season. Therefore I’ll go for a 3-1 home win with a hat-trick for Aguero and Carroll getting on the scoresheet for West Ham.