Manchester City v West Ham United
Premier League, Etihad Stadium, Saturday 4 January 2025, 3pm GMT
West Ham United start 2025 with a trip to the Etihad Stadium to face reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, looking for a strong reaction to the disappointing home defeat at the hands of leaders Liverpool last time out.
That result signalled the end of a four-game unbeaten run, and the Hammers will be hoping to start the New Year with a bang, aiming to build on their eight points from 15 that has lifted the Londoners to within reach of the top half of a congested Premier League table.
It is little over seven months since we were at the same venue and were defeated 3-1 as City held off Liverpool to win the title for the fourth season in succession, with Mohammed Kudus on target for the Irons with a sensational overhead kick.
However, half a year on, City are in a different position, having gone through their most challenging run of form since Pep Guardiola was appointed manager in the summer of 2016, and, following victory over Leicester City last time out, they will be hoping for a return to their all-conquering ways of recent seasons.
All signs point to an enticing match-up, then, with both sides aiming to start January on a high note with an all-important three-point haul.
Tickets…
West Ham fans are advised that the Club’s allocation of 3,065 tickets have sold out.
The first 90% of tickets sold out to Bondholders and Season Ticket Holders with 17+ Loyalty Points. The remaining 10% (306 tickets) were then made available by a ballot process to Season Ticket Holders who had yet to purchase for this fixture. The ballot closed at 12noon on Wednesday 11 December.
Travel…
As is the case with so many football stadia these days, it is recommended that supporters take public transport, rather than driving to the game.
If you are taking the train up from London, take a service from Euston to Manchester Piccadilly, with direct services leaving London at 08.53, 09.24, 09.52, 10.24, 10.53 and 11.25. From Piccadilly, take the Metrolink to Etihad Campus, from where it is a short walk to the stadium.
Return services depart Piccadilly at 17.15, 17.55, 18.15 and 18.55.
If you do drive, park at one of the many Metrolink stations which have Park and Ride car parks, and board the tram to the ground. For a full list, click HERE.
How To Follow…
Saturday’s 3pm kick-off will NOT be broadcast live in the UK, but will be shown across the world by the Premier League’s international broadcast partners.
If you live outside the UK, click HERE for details of Premier League listings in your territory.
You can follow the action via our live blog on whufc.com and our app, and across our social media channels. We will also have highlights and exclusive reaction for you after the final whistle on our website and social media.
Live audio commentary will be available in the UK on talkSPORT 2, and worldwide on our official website and app.
Team News…
Captain Jarrod Bowen sustained a fractured foot injury in Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool, and is set to be missing in Manchester.
Goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański will be assessed, having been absent from the Liverpool game after suffering a head injury in the first half at Southampton on Boxing Day.
Midfield pair Tomáš Souček and Guido Rodríguez are set to return following their one-game suspensions after each picking up their fifth booking of the season at St Mary's Stadium.
Elsewhere, forward Michail Antonio remains on the sidelines following his car accident towards the start of December.
For Manchester City, Ederson, Matheus Nunes, John Stones, Oscar Bobb, Rodri and Rúben Dias missed the away victory at Leicester City last time out and are injury doubts.
Opposition…
It’s amazing how quickly things can change in football, isn’t it?
It has been a rollercoaster ride for Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola that has seen historic highs and unexpected lows over a hectic 12 months.
Little over seven months ago, the Hammers found out just how good Manchester City can be as they earned a 3-1 victory to record their fourth Premier League trophy in a row. No side in English football history had ever won the top-flight more than three years back-to-back.
That was Guardiola’s 17th major honour of a sparkling City career, with the 18th following a few months later when they defeated near-neighbours Manchester United to win the Community Shield.
But indifferent results in the latter stages of 2024 have seen City fall away from their customary position at the top of the Premier League table, and in very real danger of failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League knockout stages.
Having started the 2024/25 season in impressive fashion, and embarked on a 13-game unbeaten run across all competitions, including a 3-1 win over the Hammers at London Stadium in August, they looked unstoppable and gave the impression of a monopoly at the top; of an immovable force that simply cannot be beaten.
That streak was ended by Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup last 16 on 6 October as injuries began to take their toll on the squad, who had already lost key midfielder and future Ballon d'Or winner Rodri for the season due to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.
However, few could have predicted what followed. Almost three months on, and City are in a different position, having gone through their most challenging run of form since Guardiola was appointed manager in the summer of 2016 with just two wins in 14 games in all competitions.
They did end 2024 with a win - beating relegation-threatened Leicester City 2-0 in the Spaniard's 500th game as manager - but sit sixth in the table, 14 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Previous Meetings…
We have not exactly had a great time on our recent visits to Etihad Stadium, with our last eight Premier League trips to Manchester City all ending in home wins, and West Ham United scoring just five goals in total in those matches.
Our last win at the Etihad was during the Farewell Boleyn season, 2015/16, when first-half goals from Victor Moses and Diafra Sakho secured a 2-1 success - our only victory in 18 Premier League visits to City’s new home, which was originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
In fact, that was our last Premier League win over Manchester City anywhere, with City winning 15 and drawing three of the 18 meetings since.
However, with City’s indifferent recent form, there is a quiet feeling of mild optimism about West Ham ahead of their trip to the North West this weekend.
Match Officials…
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Assistant Referees: Eddie Smart and Derek Eaton
Fourth Official: Oli Langford
VAR: Graham Scott
Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger
Michael Salisbury has been confirmed as the referee for West Ham United’s Premier League visit to Manchester City.
Salisbury has been part of the Select Group of Referees since the 2022/23 season and has held the whistle at four Premier League matches so far this campaign, most recently refereeing Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win over Southampton on 29 December.
The Lancashire-born official refereed West Ham’s first match of the 2023/24 campaign, away at AFC Bournemouth, and took charge of the Irons' 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest in November 2023 and the 2-1 victory away at Tottenham Hotspur just a few weeks later.
He most recently oversaw Video Assistant Referee duties in our home defeat to Arsenal in November, and then at Vitality Stadium in the 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth in December.
For more information about the officials, click HERE.
