Manchester City’s first game of 2025 comes against West Ham.
The Premier League champions are enduring a nightmare defence of their title and Pep Guardiola has already conceded defeat in the race.
Still, Man City did at least get back to winning ways last week then they beat Leicester 2-0, albeit it was not totally convincing.
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With that in mind, West Ham may fancy their chances. They were thrashed 5-0 against Liverpool last week but had previously gone four games unbeaten.
With neither team looking particularly convincing, it will be fascinating to see what happens.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Man City vs West Ham is scheduled for a 3pm GMT kick-off time on Saturday 4 January 2025.
The Etihad Stadium in Manchester will host.
Where to watch Man City vs West Ham
TV channel and live stream: The game will not be broadcast in the UK as it takes place behind the 3pm blackout imposed across English football.
Free highlights: Match of the Day, however, will broadcast highlights when it airs at 10.20pm GMT on BBC One on Saturday.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Man City vs West Ham team news
City will remain without Oscar Bobb, Rodri and Ruben Dias.
Ederson is back in training but remains a doubt, although is not expected to feature here. John Stones and Matheus Nunes are doubts.
West Ham, meanwhile, saw Jarrod Bowen come off against Liverpool and is now facing a spell on the sidelines after it was confirmed he suffered a fractured foot.
“Unfortunately for us it is not going to be a few days,” said the Hammers boss on Thursday.
“He was able to play 30 minutes with his injury but now he has to rest and recover. Let’s see, but it is not good news for us.”
Lukasz Fabianski was forced off with a head injury against Southampton and duly missed the loss to the Reds.
Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez could return from suspension. Michai Antonio is recovering after surgery on a lower limb fracture suffered in a road traffic accident last month.
Man City vs West Ham prediction
It’s difficult to know if City have really turned a corner of late but little about what West Ham were doing against Liverpool would suggest they are ready to go to the Etihad and win.
Man City to win, 3-1.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Man City wins: 65
Draws: 19
West Ham wins: 38
Man City vs West Ham latest odds
Man City to win: 3/10
Draw: 5/1
West Ham to win: 8/1
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
