West Ham look to keep European dreams alive against the league leaders

What to expect as the Hammers take the trip up North

Predicted Lineups

David Moyes and West Ham can either come into this matchup with the defensive mindset of just keeping City at bay, or they can try and attack and, at a minimum, say they did their best. Ever the prepared, Moyes will probably look at this matchup as one where his side will need to defend more. Keeping that in mind, here’s how the Hammers may form up this weekend.

West Ham Predicted Lineup (5-3-2):

Fabianski, Diop, Dawson, Cresswell, Coufal, Johnson, Rice (C), Soucek, Lingard, Bowen, and Antonio.

As Pep has to keep playing a card game with his team selection, who will he start and who will rest? With a mid-week Champions League matchup behind him, expect to see a few changes from that side while still seeing an ever attacked side ready to protect their home.

Manchester City Predicted Lineup ( 4-3-3)

Ederson, Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko, Rodri, KDB, Gundogan, Foden, Mahrez, and Sterling.

Prediction Time

Not to beat a dead horse, but this weekend’s matchup is such a big ask for both teams and their managers. You know Pep will have his side ready to go, and how could they not with the form they are in? On the other side, West Ham and David Moyes have an equal share of the good form and will be ready to show they belong.

The equal form cancels each other out, and so does both side’s ability to defend. Not to mention, both City and West Ham have talented keepers. So, it all comes down to which side will slip through the midfield easier and which side will let it happen.

It pains me ever to pick a Hammer loss, so I won’t. At the end of the day, City will keep their streak of not losing alive, and the Hammers will keep their strong season alive. After 90+ minutes of hard-fought play, both sides will leave with a point and a 1 all draw.