Focus Fixture: Betting Tips and Preview for West Ham v Manchester City

This week SBK previews Manchester City’s visit to the London Stadium to play a West Ham side buoyed by a strong start to the season. 

The Form

If you are a West Ham fan then - for your own good - please look away now. 

The Hammers haven’t beaten City in their last 15 meetings dating back to 2015. City are unbeaten in their last eight away fixtures against West Ham dating back to September 2014. City boss Pep Guardiola is unbeaten against West Ham in 14 games, winning 12 and drawing two. West Ham have lost nine of their last ten games against reigning league champions. 

Last season, City travelled to the London Stadium on the opening day in a fixture that saw Eirling Haaland open his Premier League goal account with a brace. The Norwegian was also on target in the return fixture at the Etihad in May. City won both games to nil.

In terms of this season, things are looking brighter for West Ham. They have spent the money they received for Declan Rice very well and have started the season incredibly strongly. After an opening day draw against Bournemouth, they have beaten Chelsea, Luton and most notably Brighton. They are two points off the top where Manchester City find themselves after a faultless four wins from four to start the season.

The Runners and Riders

The most important return is in the City dugout with Guardiola reportedly ready to return after back surgery that kept him away from the team for their last two Premier League matches. 

Elsewhere, Manchester City are still without Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic is a doubt.

The hosts, on the other hand, report a clean bill of health. 

What they said

Despite his side starting out with four wins from four it seems that for Pep anyway the season hasn’t actually started yet. In Friday’s press conference he said: “The season starts right now after the international break. The transfer window is over, kids back to school… The real season starts now, a lot of competitions. Go for it.”

On the topic of the international break David Moyes said: “We really enjoyed the international break because of the start of the season we’ve had. The players have worked hard during this period and we’re hoping the boys all come back fit.”

Bet Builder Tip

Based purely on head-to-head form this really shouldn’t be a tough one to call. But West Ham’s strong start to the season gives them some hope and I wouldn’t be stunned if this was the first time Manchester City dropped points this season. 

I still can’t look past City winning this one though. West Ham have scored nine goals and so far only City, Spurs and Brighton have found the back of the net more, therefore I’m going to back both teams to score. I’m also going to back Haaland to score for the fourth time against the Hammers.

Recommended Bet

Back City to win, BTTS and Haaland anytime goalscorer @ 3.7