West Ham United vs Manchester City Preview

November 2, 2012 By Angela Asante

Topics: West Ham United, Manchester City, English Premier League

Manchester City are chasing the top spot in the English Premier League against the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. Will they clinch a positive result away to West Ham United this Saturday?

Analysis

Manchester City might show distraction on Saturday due to next week’s European games. If Roberto Mancini’s men are doing quite well in the league, the same cannot be said in the UEFA Champions League. After losing 3-1 in Holland on Matchday 3, a must-win encounter against Ajax at the Etihad Stadium is on their agenda.

The key for the Citizens to succeed is to give each competition and each match the attention it deserves. While a pile of work needs to be done in the Champions League, things look good in the Premiership. It would be naive for Manchester City to succumb to their obsession for European glory.

The EPL titleholders have won each of their last four matches on the domestic front and could even end Matchday 9 of the English Premier League on top of the standings. Currently, they have 21 points from a possible 27.

Manchester City have known mixed results against West Ham United over the past few years. The Citizens could stretch their unbeaten run against the Hammers to five games. The last time City lost at Upton Park was in March 2009.

Following Chelsea’s loss at home to Manchester United on Matchday 9, Manchester City remain the only side to have avoided defeat in the English Premier League this season. They seat five places above West Ham. Seven points put the two clubs apart.

Head-to-head record

March 1, 2009: West Ham United 1-0 Manchester City
September 28, 2009: Manchester City 3-1 West Ham United
May 9, 2010: West Ham United 1-1 Manchester City
December 11, 2010: West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City
May 5, 2011: Manchester City 2-1 West Ham United

West Ham United’s last five matches

September 25, 2012: West Ham United 1-4 Wigan Athletic (League Cup)
October 1, 2012: Queens Park Rangers 1-2 West Ham United (EPL)
October 6, 2012: West Ham United 1-3 Arsenal (EPL)
October 20, 2012: West Ham United 4-1 Southampton (EPL)
October 27, 2012: Wigan Athletic 2-1 West Ham United (EPL)

Manchester City’s last five matches

October 3, 2012: Manchester City 1-1 Borussia Dortmund (UCL)
October 6, 2012: Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland (EPL)
October 20, 2012: West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Manchester City (EPL)
October 24, 2012: Ajax 3-1 Manchester City (UCL)
October 27, 2012: Manchester City 1-0 Swansea City (EPL)