PREM: West Ham v Man City preview

West Ham v Man City preview

Manchester City's ruthless defence of their Premier League title takes them to east London to face West Ham United on Saturday.

City are unbeaten, top of the table and are dominating all the major stats columns. Pep Guardiola's men are the top scorers (36), have had the most shots (246) and produced the most shots on target (94) so far in the Premier League this season.

December is looking kind for the Hammers after this fixture as none of their next eight Premier League fixtures following the City clash are against a "big six" team and only one of those opponents - Watford - are currently in the top half.

Manuel Pellegrini's men will be looking to win back-to-back games at the London Stadium for the first time since 2016.

Pellegrini managed City for three seasons before Guardiola took over in February 2016 and won two League Cups and a Premier League title.

 

Pellegrini has been boosted by the return of Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere ahead of the visit of champions City.

Striker Carroll has yet to figure this season after aggravating an ankle problem during the summer, but he played 45 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly at Brentford last week and is in contention for a place on the bench.

Midfielder Wilshere, who has been out since the start of September with his ankle injury, is also back in training but may not be risked just yet.

Captain Mark Noble returns from a ban but fellow midfielder Robert Snodgrass is suspended.

City will be without Bernardo Silva after he picked up an injury on international duty. Benjamin Mendy will also be out for up to three months after undergoing knee surgery in Barcelona. However, Nicolas Otamendi is back in training.