Manchester City host West Ham on Sunday afternoon before heading into the winter break. The champions are a massive 22 points behind leaders Liverpool and energies are now focused on securing a Champions League spot and the Cup competitions.
In contrast, West Ham’s main ambition is Premier League survival. The London outfit find themselves in the drop zone, and desperately need to start winning with a tricky set of games ahead. They have not beaten City
Pep Guardiola’s team have not competed with Liverpool this season. In fact, Pep has now lost six league games this season, his joint-worst ever in a single campaign as a manager. City have been beaten in games they were expected to walk and perhaps complacency has set in.
The Light Blues’ latest defeat came last weekend when Spurs shocked them with a 2-0 victory. City had the lion’s share of play with 19 shots compared to Tottenham’s three, but couldnot make it count. They haven’t been clinical enough this season, and it has really cost them.
West Ham started the new year with a bang, smashing four past Bournemouth on New Year’s Day. That result was tipped to be the turning point in their season, but things have fizzled out. The Hammers haven’t recorded a league win since then, suffering three defeats in their last five.
As a result of their lack of wins, West Ham have been pushed down to 18th in the table and involved in a relegation battle. Upcoming games against City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Wolves, and Spurs look ominous for David Moyes’s side with a real turn in fortunes needed if they are to survive the drop.
In their last three league meetings, City hold an aggregate score of 10-0 over their rivals. This is huge. Pep’s side will be hurting after another loss at the weekend and will want to pull away from Leicester in third who are only two points behind them.
West Ham can score goals, but it is at the back where they have major problems. They threw away a two-goal lead against Brighton and looks too shaky at the back to keep City out. – Premier League Press
