Two unbeaten teams in the league will lock horns at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon as West Ham United take on defending champions Manchester City. While West Ham United are looking to win four league games in a row for the first time in almost two years, City fans will be hoping to maintain their 100 percent winning start in the top flight and maintain their lead at the top of the table.
After the jubilant tide of Europa League victories in June, West Ham United have made an impressive start to the new Premier League season, taking 10 of a possible 12 points from their first four games. After drawing their opening weekend match against Bournemouth, they went on to beat Chelsea,, and Luton Town, whom they beat 2-1 away from home before the international break, thanks to goals from Bowen and new captain Zouma.
West Ham United haven't done better to start a Premier League season since the 1999-2000 season under Harry Redknapp, and incumbent David Moyes has been nominated for Manager of the Month for August for his efforts, as has this weekend's opponent Pep Guardiola.
West Ham United are aiming to maintain their unbeaten run, but that will surely be tested against Manchester City, against whom they have lost 12 of their last 15 meetings, with the remaining three matches being draws. Only against Manchester United does West Ham United have a longer winless run in their league history. Keeping fans quiet on the goal front may also be a challenge for Moyes' side, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven games in all competitions and have conceded at least two goals in seven of their last eight league duels with Pep Guardiola's side.
After beating Newcastle United and Sheffield United by a single goal, City eased past Fulham 5-1 at home before the international break, with goal machine Harland once again playing heroically as he scored his first hat-trick of the season. It was a tight game before Harland touched the net three times in the second half, Julian Alvarez's opening goal being canceled out by Tim Ream before Nathan Ake restored City's lead with a controversial strike just before half-time.
However, Guardiola would have been delighted to see his side maintain their 100% start to the new season regardless, and the Catalan boss will be keen to return to the coach's box this weekend after watching the last two games in Barcelona, both of which were dominated by assistant coaches, following successful back surgery.
Having won the Champions League in June, they take on Red Star Belgrade in their first Champions League group stage match next Tuesday before fans will be looking to make it five wins in a row in the Premier League when they take on West Ham United, who haven't lost in their last eight away matches against each other, including a 2-0 success in last season's opening fixture.
West Ham United starting XI: Arreola; Carell, Zouma, Aguilder, Emerson; Alvarez, Ward-Prowse; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio
Manchester City starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Diaz, Akanji, Gouadeau; Rodriguez, Nunes; Bernardo, Alvarez, Foden; Harland.
OUR PREDICTION: West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City Saturday could see an interesting match between two confident teams in excellent form, although West Ham United are clearly the underdogs against the defending champions. West Ham United have the potential to cause City **trouble** in the final third of the pitch, especially from set pieces and on the counter, but the Citizens have enough attacking prowess to outclass their rivals and claim a fifth consecutive win.
