Preview - Man City

The background 

West Ham United suffered the rare feeling of defeat a week ago at Newcastle United, so will be aiming to bounce back when they host Manchester City at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
 
The Hammers could complete their second double of the season, having already defeated Liverpool twice.
 
City are challenging for the title, but could not find a way past the Hammers when the two sides met at the Etihad Stadium in September.
 
There, Victor Moses and Diafra Sakho struck inside the opening half-hour to ensure Kevin de Bruyne’s reply – and a second half bombardment of the visitors’ goal – counted for little.
 
The victory was one of a number of impressive early-season results for Slaven Bilic’s men, who have continued their good form into the New Year – with last weekend’s reverse the first loss in nine Barclays Premier League outings.
 
City, as expected, are challenging for the title, a point behind both Arsenal and Leicester City in third position.
 
Their away record is indifferent, winning four, drawing three and losing three in the league, but a 2-1 win at Watford in the last league game on their travels showed their resilience.

The history

Saturday’s game will be the 102nd meeting between the Hammers and Manchester City, with City’s recent winning record giving them a favourable slant in the head-to-head stats.
 
City have won 48 times to the Hammers’ 37, with only 16 ending in draws, although West Ham have emerged triumphant in two of the last three clashes, winning by 2-1 scorelines at the Boleyn Ground last term and at Etihad Stadium this season.
 
Morgan Amalfitano and Diafra Sakho were West Ham’s goalscorers in that east London meeting, with David Silva replying for City, while Sakho was on target again in Manchester, alongside Victor Moses.

Match info 

Team news

West Ham United 

James Tomkins will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s game, having picked up a minor injury in last weekend’s defeat at Newcastle United.
 
Winston Reid is fit and available again, but Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini remain sidelined.

Manchester City

Man City are without a quintet of players for Saturday’s trip to London. Wilfried Bony, Aleksandar Kolarov, Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala and Samir Nasri are all out.
 
However, Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho is available for selection again after overcoming a muscle injury.

Match facts

• Saturday’s referee is Craig Pawson. He will be assisted by Stephen Child and Dave Bryan. The fourth official is Jonathan Moss. Pawson has taken charge of 24 games this term, issuing 70 yellow cards and just one red card.  This is his first West Ham appointment of the campaign.
• Victory would see West Ham complete a league double against Manchester City for the first time since the 1962-63 season, when they won both meetings 6-1.
• The Hammers have won two of the last three meetings, having failed to win any of the previous 10 in all competitions.
• Defeat at Newcastle was West Ham's first loss in nine league games (W3, D5).
• The Hammers lost their opening two Premier League home games this season but are unbeaten in their subsequent eight top-flight matches at Upton Park (W4, D4).
• Fourteen players have scored a Premier League goal for West Ham United this season - only Chelsea have had as many goalscorers in top flight this term.
• A Hammers victory would give them 38 points and represent their highest ever total after 23 matches of a Premier League season.
• City have scored 10 goals in 10 away fixtures in the top flight this season, compared to 33 in 12 matches on home turf.

Ticketing, coverage, travel and other info 

• Tickets for Saturday’s game have SOLD OUT. However, tickets may become available online as Season Ticket Holders relist.
• District and Hammersmith & City line trains are scheduled to be running as normal on Saturday. Click here for the latest on TfL services and here for National Rail.
• A cloudy, yet dry, day is expected on Saturday. Temperature at kick-off is set to be around 9C (48F).
• If you’re not heading to the game, make sure you stay right up to date on our digital channels. The whufc.com Match Centre will have live audio commentary, text updates, in-running stats and pictures. You can also get involved in the conversation on social using the hashtag #WHUMCI