Prediction and odds for the game: Manchester City (1/12) v West Ham (22/1)
We are backing both teams to score
When: Sunday 09th February 2020, Kick-off 4:30 PM
Where: The Etihad Stadium
On Sunday afternoon, reigning Premier League champions Manchester City host West Ham at the Etihad Stadium, as the visitors look to pick up unlikely points to aid their relegation fight.
Manchester City
The Citizens now find themselves 18 points behind runaway league leaders Liverpool after a 2-0 defeat at Spurs last time out. Pep Guardiola’s team saw full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko dismissed, which didn’t help City’s cause.
The defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur came on the back of a 1-0 home defeat against arch-rivals Manchester City in the League Cup semi-final second leg. City have lost just one of their last six league games, with the Citizens recording four wins in the process. In fact, the loss at Spurs ended a run of five-game unbeaten run in the top-flight for the home side.
Guardiola’ team are undefeated in their last four Premier League games at the Etihad Stadium, with a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace ending a three-game winning match on home soil in the English top-flight.
Manchester City have a very good recent record against West Ham, beating the Hammers in the last seven meetings in all competitions.
West Ham
The visitors head to Manchester in a fight for their Premier League status. A 3-3 draw with Brighton last time out in the top-flight, means they have won just once in their last eight matches, having managed to throw away a 3-1 lead. David Moyes team have also failed to win in their last five Premier League games.
The recent poor run of form has seen the Irons drop into the relegation zone, a point from safety. The visitor’s poor defensive record in the Premier League has contributed majorly to their current position, as they have conceded at least two goals in five of their last eight league outings.
The Hammers poor away record in the Premier League has also played its part in their current situation. The visitors have won just twice in ten league matches on their travels. To make matters worse, West Ham have lost five of their last seven league games.
Once again, poor defensive displays have hampered the Irons away results, as they have conceded at least two goals in six of their last nine matches on the road.
Conclusion
It now looks like City will fail to retain their crown as English champions, with Liverpool are so far clear at the top of the table. However, the home side still has more quality than the poor travelers West Ham. We are backing both teams to score, as Manchester City have been vulnerable at the back. For that reason and West Ham’s dodgy defence, we are also backing the over 3.5 goals scored.
Verdict: We are backing both teams to score at odds of 19/20 and/or over 2.5 goals scored at odds of 8/13. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Can West Ham pick up anything from their visit to Manchester?
