Manchester City vs West Ham: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

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Manchester City host West Ham United on Sunday afternoon in what is poised to be an enthralling clash between two of the Premier League’s current top four.

Pep Guardiola’s side have purred through their last four matches, passing and probing their way to successive victories in strict adherence to every letter of their Catalan coach’s philosophy.

However, West Ham are on track for Champions League qualification themselves and have proved obdurate opponents for City as recently as October, when they sent the perennial League Cup winners out of their favourite tournament via penalties.

Here’s all you need to know about this fascinating matchup.

When is kick off? Sunday 28 November, 14:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Etihad Stadium
What TV channel is it on? BBC Radio Manchester, Sports Sunday – Sky Sports (UK), Peacock (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube channel (UK), Match of the Day 2 (BBC – UK, 10.30pm)
Referee? Michael Oliver
VAR? Jarred Gillett

Manchester City are still feeling the after-effects of November’s international break. While Kevin De Bruyne waits for the conclusion of his ten day isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 during his time with Belgium, Jack Grealish is yet to feature in City’s squad since going away with England.

Phil Foden picked up a knock against Everton last weekend which he exacerbated in Tuesday’s training session, forcing him to sit out the midweek triumph over PSG. Both he and Grealish may be available come Sunday, but Spanish forward Ferran Torres has been ruled out until the new year with a ’small fracture‘ to his right foot.

Despite the much debated influence of Europa League fixtures, David Moyes has been largely spared a spate of injuries. Angelo Ogbonna represents the notable exception and will be sorely missed at the heart of defence as damage to his ACL has ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.

West Ham: Fabianski; Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Benrahma, Fornals; Antonio.

What was once an even rivalry of ebbs and flows between a pair of clubs where past triumphs were more readily remembered than present successes (or lack thereof) celebrated, has morphed into a one-sided affair in City’s favour.

As recently as 2006, West Ham and Manchester City both had 34 victories against one another across all competitions. However, since Sheikh Mansour took over the club two years later, the Hammers have claimed just three Premier League victories – none during Guardiola’s tenure.

For all of City’s historic dominance under their current ownership, this well-drilled Champions League-challenging iteration of West Ham has proven to be a tricky opponent for almost everyone they’ve faced.

West Ham have certainly expanded their repertoire this season but do lean on their two favoured routes to goal, especially against sides that dominate the ball – set pieces and counter attacks.

City are one of only two Premier League sides yet to concede via either of these avenues. It’s an oft-overlooked quality of a Guardiola team but City have been hugely impressive defensively this season, conceding just six goals from twice as many matches.

In what will surely be a gripping contest, City may just edge out a West Ham side that rarely lose, and never by a large margin.

Prediction: Manchester City 1-0 West Ham