Sunday 3rd December 2017 Kickoff 1600hrs Manchester City v West Ham United – Football – England – Premier League Super Sunday this week appears to be something of a complete mismatch on paper as league leaders Manchester City host third bottom West Ham. Their seasons so far have been the polar opposite of each other as Pep Guardiola’s men have surged clear at the top of the table, combining sublime skill and a real dedication to win. On the other hand, West Ham’s campaign is going from bad to worse as they were humbled 4-0 by a struggling Everton team on Wednesday. A margin of 30 points separate the two after just 14 games so it is a mammoth task that awaits the visitors as they try to turn their season around at the most daunting venue, against the best opposition, in English football.
Raheem Sterling has come in for much criticism during his time at City but this season appears to be the one where he finally fulfils his promise. Having been immense for Liverpool in the second half of the 2013/14 campaign, Sterling is not only returning to that level but also surpassing it. The last week has seen the wide player net two extremely crucial winners when it looked like the leaders would be dropping points against Huddersfield and Southampton. Instead, they remain eight points clear and in a great position to win their first title since 2015. Guardiola’s men have now won 12 straight in the league and will fancy their chances of making it 13 with the visit of the Hammers. Do that then they are in prime position ahead of traveling to Old Trafford next Sunday in what may see them put yet more daylight between themselves and their nearest rivals.
Having previewed West Ham’s game against Everton in midweek, and watched the subsequent game, it’s obvious to see just how big a task that David Moyes has on his hands. The first half performance at Goodison was nothing short of horrendous and although they may consider themselves slightly unfortunate with regards to the penalty incident, the defending in general was calamitous, there was nowhere near enough deists in any aspect of their play. Those all have to change if West Ham are to start climbing the table and moving away from the relegation zone, but the signs are not great that they will be able to do that without yet more investment. Considering the money that has been spent under the previous manger, it’s ridiculous to think that the club are just one point off the bottom. And it’s only going to get harder for Moyes and his players with this the first of three horrendously difficult games, as they prepare to face two massive London derbies against Chelsea and Arsenal in the next couple of weeks. It’s more than possible that things will get worse for the Irons before they get better.
Manchester City v West Ham United Betting Tip
It’s not just the huge number of points between these two clubs which is indicative of how their seasons have went, the goal difference is also very telling. Manchester City are 35 goals to the good – a full 11 better than any other team – where as West Ham are -18, the single worst in the Premier League. That in itself is the most damning of statistics for the visitors whose new manager has already commented on their lack of organisation and discipline. When Everton manager those are elements of the game that his teams were renowned for but his last three jobs suggest that he may not be able to instil those effectively any longer. It certainly appears that way with this group of players.
City have done all their hard work in the Champions League to qualify top of their section so it’s all about domestic competition between now and February, despite having their final group stage game next midweek. That will focus the mind of everybody at the club to try and get six points from their next two league games which would be a large step towards winning this title.
Huddersfield and Southampton have come very close to takin points off the leaders this past week and given hope to the others that it is possible to trouble Guardiola’s men. That said, those two teas teams are far better defensively than this West Ham outfit and you really do fear for the visitors. It’s not just the tactical side of the game they struggle with, their mentality is all wrong as well and that’s the real danger on Sunday. Joe Hart will make an emotional return to the Etihad but expect him to be in for a busy time. The hosts have scored three or more goals on five occasions already this season and that’s well within their grasp again this weekend, but the better value bet is for them to win both halves, something they have done in four of their six at home.
Manchester City to win both halves 3/4 @ Betway
