Man City breezed past Brighton in midweek in the Premier League, beating them 4-1 but they are going to face a sterner test in midweek.
Pep Guardiola’s side take on West Ham United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and given how they are playing, Man City are obviously favourites to move to the next round.
Having said that though, the Hammers are not going to lie down and let them walk over since under David Moyes they are a completely transformed side. The Hammers are fourth in the league table right now having lost just two out of their nine matches.
Ideally, the Man City boss should be playing a second-fiddle side but Guardiola has hinted that he could name a strong side for this Round of 16 clash.
“Some of them, but less than against Wycombe because in that moment we had injured players, different circumstances,” he had said, as quoted. “We will take a look in the next days. We play Wednesday, so we’ll see training tomorrow and Tuesday and after we’ll see what is the best decision.”
“It’s a tournament in this country that we have done quite well in. We know which team we’re going to face, West Ham away is not an easy one but at the same time we are going to prepare, to win the game as any competition.”
Last time these two sides met, City won the match 2-1 and this game could also be a tight one, primarily since the Hammers go into this match at the back of a superb win against Spurs on Sunday.
Man City team news vs West Ham United:
Ederson will be replaced by Zack Steffen and both Ruben Dias and Laporte will also move to the bench. Nathan Ake will come into the side pairing up with John Stones.
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Walker should be holding onto his spot though while Zinchenko comes into the left-hand side of defence.
Rodri will be given a much-deserved rest against West Ham United meaning Fernandinho will come back into the side. Gundogan has just returned from injury so he’s not going to play back-to-back games either.
Phil Foden played as the false nine and if Raheem Sterling comes back then the youngster could slot into midfield. Otherwise, Kevin De Bruyne will come back into the starting line up.
Raheem Sterling missed the Brighton due to soreness in his back and he remains a doubt for the midweek fixture.
Ferran Torres will be out for close to three months so Pep Guardiola has no other option but to keep playing with a false-nine.
Man City predicted line up vs West Ham United:
Predicted Starting Line up: Steffen; Walker, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Zinchenko; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva; Jack Grealish, Foden/Sterling, Jesus.
Stats via Sofascore.
