West Ham vs Manchester City (Premier League): Match Preview, Team News, Head to Head, How To Watch

Manchester City return to Premier League action following the international break with an away match against high-flying West Ham United.

The Blues will be looking to continue their flawless start to the season with a victory over West Ham, but the east London side arrive in a rich vein of form themselves, having claimed 10 points from their opening four matches.

Manchester City swept Fulham aside at the Etihad Stadium prior to the international break, but it was far from an easy opening 45 minutes for the home side, who struggled to breakthrough a robust Cottagers defence.

Erling Haaland teed up Julian Alvarez for the opening goal, however, Tim Ream immediately equalised after the restart. City controversially restored their lead prior to half-time, before an Erling Haaland second-half hat-trick fired the Blues to a 5-1 win.

Attention now turns to West Ham, who ended their bout of matches prior to the international break with a 2-1 away victory over newly-promoted Luton Town.

With three consecutive victories, including wins over Chelsea and Brighton, the Irons pose a threat and will fancy their chances at causing somewhat of an upset on Saturday, given their impressive recent form.

The two sides have toyed all summer over past and present West Ham midfielders Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta, with Manchester City reportedly interested in the pair at different points of the transfer window.

However, as Declan Rice transferred to Arsenal and David Moyes’ side managed to keep hold of Brazilian Paqueta, City made the tidy acquisitions of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, and Matheus Nunes from Wolves.

Both sides endured success in Europe last season, as West Ham obtained the Europa Conference League trophy, while Manchester City topped their treble-winning season with a victory over Inter Milan to secure the Champions League crown.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will return to the dugout at the London Stadium, having missed wins over Sheffield United and Fulham after undergoing emergency back surgery in Barcelona, last month.

While the two clubs share bond over their European glory, the embraces will be left off the pitch, as Guardiola’s side travel to the capital to take on Moyes’ West Ham United on Saturday.

Fixture Details

Manchester City take on West Ham United on Saturday 16^th September, with kick-off at the London Stadium scheduled for 15:00 BST.

Team News

John Stones remains unavailable for the Blues, having not featured since the Community Shield tie against Arsenal last month, but is close to recovering.

Jack Grealish has not trained with the club since his injury which ruled him out of the Fulham clash prior to the international break, meanwhile Mateo Kovacic picked up a slight knock during the international break and was not spotted in training on Thursday.

Both players are ruled out for the weekend’s clash at West Ham.

Kevin De Bruyne remains sidelined with a long-term hamstring injury picked up on the opening day against Burnley.

Head-To-Head

City were victorious home and away last season against West Ham, with an opening day 2-0 victory at the London Stadium ,where Erling Haaland announced himself to the world.

Manchester City were also victorious at the Etihad Stadium with a 3-0 win in May; where Erling Haaland broke the record for the most goals in a single league campaign.

How to watch

For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match will not be broadcast live due to the 3PM television black-out, however supporters can listen to full-match commentary on BBC Radio Manchester.

For fans living elsewhere, you can find the complete TV Listings here!

City Xtra will have live coverage of the contest on YouTube via our live WatchAlong show!