Man City Clash with West Ham: Bold Predictions, Key Lineups and What to Expect
Manchester City look to maintain pressure on Premier League championship contenders Arsenal with a victory over West Ham United this Saturday afternoon.
The Citizens have secured six consecutive wins across all tournaments as they continue their ascent in both Premier League and Champions League tables, while also securing their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. Following a shaky beginning to the season, Pep Guardiola's squad is regaining their dominant form.
A win against the Hammers would momentarily place Man City ahead of Arsenal at the summit before the Gunners face a challenging away fixture at Everton. Steady performances have helped narrow the deficit as a ninth Premier League championship becomes increasingly attainable.
City should face minimal challenges in overcoming West Ham based on their historical dominance in this matchup. They have triumphed in the previous six encounters, netting 18 goals during that span, and haven't suffered defeat to the Hammers in Premier League action for over ten years.
West Ham, currently positioned in the relegation zone entering the weekend, are hardly displaying confidence, despite Nuno Espírito Santo's appointment bringing some steadiness. Losses have become less frequent under the Portuguese manager, but the London side continues to struggle for victories as the threat of relegation persists.
Here's Sports Illustrated's analysis of the upcoming encounter.
What Time Does Man City vs. West Ham Kick Off?
Man City vs. West Ham Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Man City | West Ham |
|---|---|
Man City 2–0 Brentford - 17/12/25 | West Ham 2–3 Aston Villa - 14/12/25 |
Crystal Palace 0–3 Man City - 14/12/25 | Brighton 1–1 West Ham - 07/12/25 |
Real Madrid 1–2 Man City - 10/12/25 | Man Utd 1–1 West Ham - 04/12/25 |
Man City 3–0 Sunderland - 06/12/25 | West Ham 0–2 Liverpool - 30/11/25 |
Fulham 4–5 Man City - 02/12/25 | Bournemouth 2–2 West Ham - 22/11/25 |
How to Watch Man City vs. West Ham on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Not televised—audio coverage available on BBC Radio Manchester, BBC Radio 5 Live, talkSPORT, Man City Radio |
United States | USA Network, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, NBC Sports App, nbcsports.com, UNIVERSO, UNIVERSO NOW |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada |
Mexico | Max Mexico, TNT Sports, TNT Go |
Man City Team News
Guardiola has verified that none of City's injured players will be ready for the West Ham fixture, though several might be fit for the subsequent match against Nottingham Forest.
Rodri and Mateo Kovačić remain unavailable in midfield, ensuring Nico González will persist in the defensive midfielder role. Jérémy Doku is another significant absence on the flanks, while Oscar Bobb sustained an injury during the midweek Carabao Cup victory over Brentford.
John Stones remains out with a thigh problem, while Omar Marmoush and Rayan Aït-Nouri are both unavailable after joining Egypt and Algeria respectively for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Guardiola rotated his squad against the Bees on Wednesday, but Nico O'Reilly, Nico and Rayan Cherki appear set to retain their positions this weekend.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs. West Ham
Man City predicted lineup vs. West Ham (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; González; Silva, Cherki, Foden, Savinho; Haaland.
West Ham Team News
West Ham have no injury concerns following Niclas Füllkrug's return to availability, but they will remain without fullbacks on both flanks of their defense. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf have left for Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Oliver Scarles and Kyle Walker-Peters may step in for the missing pair, with Nuno potentially switching to a five-man defense for the visit to the Etihad. Max Kilman could return to the starting eleven, while Jarrod Bowen appears likely to spearhead the attack.
West Ham Predicted Lineup vs. Man City
West Ham predicted lineup vs. Man City (3-4-2-1): Areola; Mavropanos, Kilman, Todibo; Walker-Peters, Potts, Magassa, Scarles; Fernandes, Paquetá; Bowen.
Man City vs. West Ham Score Prediction
City have netted three or more goals against West Ham in their last five encounters with the London outfit and are expected to achieve at least a hat-trick of goals at the Etihad. With Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Cherki displaying brilliant attacking prowess, West Ham's backline faces a daunting challenge.
The Hammers have lacked creative spark in fixtures against the league's elite teams this campaign and appear unlikely to trouble City significantly this weekend. Bowen will be crucial to their hopes, but may find himself too isolated in the attacking third.