Manchester City Form and Title Ambitions
Manchester City extended their winning run to six matches with a 2-0 victory over Brentford, securing a Carabao Cup semi-final spot and closing the Premier League gap to leaders Arsenal to two points.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won four straight league games and boast a 46-match unbeaten streak against teams starting the day in the relegation zone, with 42 wins and four draws in that period.
West Ham’s Struggles and Away Record
West Ham lost 3-2 to Aston Villa after twice leading, leaving them three points from safety. The Hammers have dropped ten points from winning positions this season, which would have placed them in mid-table.
Despite their struggles, West Ham have drawn their last three away league matches. Another draw would see them spend Christmas in the bottom three for the fifth time in Premier League history.
Head-to-Head and Key Statistics
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 19 Premier League meetings with West Ham, winning 16 and drawing three. They have won the last nine home encounters against the Hammers.
City have led at half-time in 11 league games this season and have won their last seven home league matches by a 22-4 aggregate. West Ham have scored first in just five of 16 league games and concede 6.5 corners per match.
Key Players and Team News
Rayan Cherki has assisted five goals in his last four home league games for City and scored in midweek cup action. Jarrod Bowen assisted in his only meeting last season and has opened scoring in two of his three away league goals this term.
Jérémy Doku is expected to miss out for City, while West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Betting Insights
Manchester City are strong favourites, with a City -2 handicap win considered a sensible pick according to betting analysis.