Manchester City are packed in some intense competitions, with the West Ham game coming in between the Carabao Cup, League Cup, and Champions League. For West Ham, this is a boost but for Manchester City, their injuries become magnified.
First things first – an injured Manchester City squad is still extremely talented and skillful. It’s the reason why Pep Guardiola spends so much every summer, so they can have ridiculous depth to contend in the League Cup, Carabao Cup, Champions League and challenge for the Premier League title.
That being said, here are the confirmed injuries:
Guardiola says Stones, Jesus, Fernandinho and Laporte are out tomorrow. Says Stones and Jesus back soon but the other two probably after the international break, perhaps the Swansea FA Cup game
— Sam Lee (@SamLee) February 26, 2019
Talk about an injured spine. Manchester City are without their top two centre-backs, their best defensive midfielder, and their young striker, making their team a little light up the middle.
Despite these injuries, City still have their starting forward line and an incredibly attacking midfield. I don’t expect them to deviate from their 4-3-3 formation either, which they’ve kept through this season of play.
Predicted City squad:
Ederson
Walker – Kompany – Otamendi – Zinchenko
De Bruyne – Gundogan – D. Silva
Mahrez – Aguero – Sane
Attacking wise, City should rest Sterling and Bernardo Silva after repetitive use in the league, Champions League, and Carabao Cup. That means Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez should factor into the City starting XI; two players who have histories of success against the Hammers.
For West Ham this mean’s one thing – press the attack, hard.
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City will be reduced to likely one defender on the bench, Danilo, who is a fullback or would have to give a bench spot to Eliaquim Mangala. With 32-year-old Kompany and 31-year-old Nicholas Otamendi as the starting centre-backs, Arnautovic and Antonio can be effective by bringing physicality on the pitch and stretching them with their speed.
Robert Snodgrass at the #10 position and Felipe Anderson on his native left side will be responsible for outletting and instigating the offense. With their passing and crossing ability, the Hammers can maximize their matchups at centre-back.
Regardless of City’s injuries, they will try to dominate possession through their midfield and attacking players. West Ham will need to lean on Mark Noble and Declan Rice to try and force the attack to the outside and then depend on Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop to keep Aguero and the City forwards quiet.
The offside trap will be very important in this match, as well, as the Hammers will need to force possession turnovers as much as they can. Likewise, the Irons’ fullbacks will help dictate the game, acting as fast-paced defenders as well as ball movers who will be needed up the pitch to hold possession.
It’ll be gritty and could have quite a few goals in it, as a point-streaking West Ham side faces off against a shallow injury ridden Manchester City team. It could be a glorious chance for the Hammers to steal some important points.