West Ham United Vs Manchester City
West Ham United Vs Manchester City Saturday 24th October 2020 – 12:30 Kick-Off
English Premier League
Pick: West Ham +1.5 (Asian Handicap betting)
Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 22nd October 2020)
Preview: Two teams who have played their part in some astonishing scenes in this season’s English Premier League meet in the first of four games played on Saturday. All too often it is Man City who coast to victory in this fixture, but can this reinvigorated West Ham side provide the latest chapter to an unpredictable season?
English Premier League Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
West Ham Preview – New-found defensive resolve to be vigorously tested?
After masterminding the most remarkable comeback in their previous Premier League outing, becoming the first team in Premier League history to avoid losing at 3-0 down on 81 minutes by snatching a famous 3-3 draw at Tottenham, West Ham will attempt to defy logic once more on Saturday. The Hammers hosting a Man City side which has won all nine previous meetings between the sides in all competitions.
Rather ominously, West Ham have shipped four or more across each of the last four league meetings staged at their ground. That could be about to change, though. Last week’s result will have instilled an enormous amount of belief, not least that they can overcome setbacks, while it was also a rare off day from a defence which has been among the strongest in the league in the early part of the campaign.
After five league fixtures, only two teams – of which Man City are not one – boast a superior Expected Goals Conceded figure than The Hammers (5.40 xGC). Meanwhile all three goals conceded last time out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium came in a dazzling 16 minute spell for the hosts. Prior to this, however, David Moyes’ side had registered eye-catching to nil victories over Wolves (4-0) and Leicester (0-3).
Man City Preview – Citizens still to reach their peak?
Even at such an early juncture, glancing at the Premier League standings and seeing Manchester City in the bottom half feels a sight to behold. They have, of course, played a game fewer than most, and can continue their ascent with victory at London Stadium over West Ham – something which has become a formality in recent times having won all five competitive meetings there by an aggregate of 22-1.
This latest encounter could prove the toughest still, especially with The Citizens seemingly not having hit their stride so far this season. Last week seen them eke out a narrow win at home to Arsenal, an opponent they had scored three times against in five of six prior meetings but could only muster a 1-0 scoreline on this occasion. It took their goal tally in the league to a rather modest seven in four games.
Pep Guardiola’s men were a little more at it in midweek in the Champions League, although not until the second half, by which time FC Porto had visibly tired. While at Elland Road versus Leeds, in their most recent away encounter, City were put through their paces by last season’s second tier champions. Fortunate even to have escaped West Yorkshire with a share of the spoils: LEE 2.71 – 1.45 MNC xG.
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West Ham vs Manchester City Betting Advice
Each of the last eight league meetings were won by the clear favourites on the day, Man City, who are expected to pick up three points again. Six were by a margin of two clear goals, including all four held at London Stadium with the visitors racking up scores of 4-0 (twice), 4-1 and 5-0. This might hint at another comfortable outing, however, the consensus thus far is that Guardiola’s men are still to find their best form.
West Ham vs Man City – Key Facts:
- The Hammers have scored 3+ goals in the league on more occasions (9) than any other Premier League club in 2020, doing so in each of their last three said matches.
- Man City have lost their last two Premier League games in London (vs Chelsea & Spurs) – last losing three in a row in 2009.
- However, Man City would win each of their previous five away encounters with West Ham in all competitions, scoring four or more goals in each.
Since losing their first two matches of the season, West Ham have won two of three league games (versus solid opposition, too, in Wolves and Leicester), coming from 3-0 down at in-form Tottenham to draw the other, so are clearly on a high. Moreover, The Hammers have posed an attacking threat in all bar one game. Man City may prevail, as they invariably do in this fixture, but it probably won’t be by such a wide margin this time around.
Best Betting Odds – West Ham Vs Man City
West Ham – 7/1 (Bet365)
Draw – 9/2 (BetFred)
Man City – 2/5 (Unibet)
