Where and when?
Manchester City v West Ham United
Premier League
Etihad Stadium
Sunday 28 August 2016, 4pm BST
What’s the story?
West Ham United will look to bounce back following their European exit when they travel to early Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
Slaven Bilic’s men suffered the disappointment of defeat in the UEFA Europa League to Romanian side Astra Giurgiu for the second year in succession in midweek and will hope for exactly the same response as last season.
Then, the Hammers followed a loss to Astra by heading to Emirates Stadium as underdogs and defeating Arsenal 2-0.
This time the task takes them to the blue half of Manchester, with the east Londoners tasked with ending Pep Guardiola’s 100 per cent start to life in the hotseat with the Citizens.
In the league, Manchester City have defeated Sunderland 2-1 and Stoke City 4-1 in their opening two fixtures, giving them top spot on goal difference ahead of local rivals Manchester United, Hull City and Chelsea.
That success was matched in UEFA Champions League qualification, with a 5-0 win over Steaua Bucharest in Romania being backed up with a 1-0 win in Manchester to ensure progress to the group stage.
West Ham, meanwhile, secured their first league win of the season last weekend, when Michail Antonio’s late goal saw off AFC Bournemouth.
With the first international break of the season following this fixture, both teams will be keen to sign off in positive fashion.
Team news
Slaven Bilic will hope his team’s injury problems will begin to ease going into this international break, with Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini both closing in on a return.
Bilic said in his pre-match press conference that one of the pair could be involved in Manchester, with Mark Noble also set to return to the fold after sitting out in midweek.
Havard Nordtveit was withdrawn at half time against Astra after suffering a kick to the same foot he bruised against Chelsea, and will miss the trip to Etihad Stadium.
Aaron Cresswell, Andy Carroll (both knee), Sofiane Feghouli, and Andre Ayew (both thigh) are all out, but Arthur Masuaku returns to the squad after being ineligible for Thursday’s loss.
Any links between the two?
West Ham’s former Manchester City academy midfielder Martin Samuelsen has this week joined Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan so won’t be at Etihad Stadium to take on his former team.
Last season the Hammers triumphed 2-1 at Etihad Stadium, when goals from Victor Moses and Diafra Sakho gave them a platform to withstand Kevin de Bruyne’s reply and a City onslaught to take the points.
At the Boleyn Ground, West Ham were twice pegged back in a 2-2 draw, with Enner Valencia’s double being matched by a brace from Sergio Aguero.
How do I get to the game?
Click here for information on how to get to Etihad Stadium and here for the latest news on the trains.
How can I watch the game?
The match is being broadcast live in the UK by Sky Sports.