West Ham vs Manchester City Prediction & Betting Tips (31 August)

In this very competitive Premier League, West Ham is trying to find a place for itself and remains, again this season, a candidate for the last European places. It should be remembered that the London team has shined on the continental scene in recent seasons, whether in C3 semi-finalist in 2022, quarter-finalist in 2024 or in C4 winner in 2023. This season, the Hammers are deprived of the Coupe de Europe due to their 9th place in the Premier League last year. They can therefore focus on their journey in the championship and do everything possible to finish among the 6 or 7 best teams. Beaten at home by Aston Villa to start, West Ham reacted well last weekend with a success gleaned at Crystal Palace 0-2. This week, the Hammers beat Bournemouth at home in the League Cup 1-0. Four-time reigning English champion, Manchester City knocks out the competition under the leadership of Pep Guardiola.

Only Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool have managed to deprive the Skyblues of the title since 2018. The Cityzens are obviously considered the big favorites again this season. However, they must deal with the increasingly pressing threat of Arsenal who finished 2nd in 2023 5 points behind and in 2024 2 points behind. A week before the start of the championship, Erling Haaland's teammates won the Community Shield with forceps against Manchester United 1-1, victory following penalties. Subsequently, they launched their journey in the Premier League perfectly with convincing successes acquired on the pitch of Chelsea 0-2 and against promoted Ipswich last weekend 4-1.

West Ham are only without injured replacement left-back Cresswell. The essentials Bowen, Paqueta and Kudus are available, as is the German international Füllkrug. The latter started on the bench during the first two days of the championship. This summer, West Ham confirmed the important departures of Kehrer (Monaco), Johnson (Ipswich), Ogbonna (without a club), Downes (Southampton) and Benrahma (Lyon).

In addition, midfielder Phillips (Man City) was not retained after his loan. In the opposite direction, defenders Kilman (Wolverhampton), Todibo (Nice) and Wan-Bissaka (Man United) arrived as did midfielder Rodriguez (Betis Sevilla), wingers Summerville (Leeds) and Luis Guilherme (Palmeiras) and solid striker Füllkrug (Dortmund).