Sunday, September 27, 2009

Man City v West Ham

Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy look set to lead the City line against their former club in the continued absence of Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz.

Stephen Ireland is doubtful after being concussed in the League Cup. Robinho and Vincent Kompany remain sidelined.

Gianfranco Zola may be forced to play the same side who lost to Bolton in the League Cup.

Matthew Upson and Jack Collison both have calf injuries while Luis Jimenez is still nursing a groin problem.


Manchester City

Suspended: Adebayor (3 of 3 matches)

Doubtful: Richards (shoulder), Ireland (concussion)

Injured: Onuoha (thigh), Robinho (ankle), Benjani (hip), Johnson (groin), Santa Cruz (knee), Kompany (ankle)

West Ham

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Upson & Collison (both calf), Jiminez (groin)

Injured: Ashton (ankle), Boa Morte (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

Manchester City blew away a few of their post derby-day cobwebs with an extra-time Carling Cup victory over Fulham on Wednesday night. That win followed their first defeat of the season at neighbours Manchester United which came after a faultless start in their opening five games in all competitions.

606: DEBATE

Defeat to neighbours Manchester United may have left City fans feeling blue, but owner Sheikh Mansour responded to the loss by splashing more cash, buying the remaining 10% of shares from former owner Thaksin Shinawatra.

Craig Bellamy is free to play after Greater Manchester Police revealed that no complaint had been made against the Welsh international after he pushed a fan in the face at Old Trafford last Sunday. Both the FA and Manchester City had already revealed they will not be taking any further action regarding the matter.

West Ham are winless in three trips to the North West in all competitions so far this season. Despite their spluttering start Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola insists West Ham can emulate last season's eigth place finish and claims his players are up for the challenge.

I think we're getting above ourselves, thinking we're better than we are at the moment
Robert Green, West Ham goalkeeper

However, goalkeeper Robert Green launched a stinging attack on his teammates after their Carling Cup defeat at Bolton. The current England number one went as far as to suggest his club colleagues have an inflated view of themselves.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Manchester City are unbeaten at home in the league to West Ham since April 2003, winning three of four matches.

• Two thirds of Premier League games between the two sides have been won by the home side - 12 of 18 matches.

• Manchester City and West Ham are the only two sides in this season's Premier League yet to be behind at half-time.

Manchester City

• City have won each of their last five home league games, since a 3-1 defeat at Eastlands last April.

• 50 league games have passed since City were last involved in a goalless draw.

• Craig Bellamy has scored six goals in 13 Premier League appearances against his former clubs - including five in his last nine games. He is two goals short of 100 league goals.

West Ham

• West Ham are in danger of losing three successive league games for only the second time under Gianfranco Zola. They lost four in a row in October last year just a month after the Italian took charge.

• The Hammers have accrued just four points from their opening five games, their lowest tally since the 2002/03 season which ultimately resulted in relegation.

• Zola's side are yet to beat a side from the top half of the table this season, after losing at home to both Tottenham and Liverpool.

LEADING GOALSCORERS
Emmanuel Adebayor

Manchester City

Adebayor: 4 goals (4 league); Bellamy: 3 goals (3 league)


Carlton Cole

West Ham

Cole & Stanislas: 2 goals (2 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Chris Foy

Assistant referees: Trevor Massey & Bob Pollock

Fourth official: Mike Jones

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Manchester City (L3-4 v Man United, a): Given, Richards, Lescott, Toure, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Barry, De Jong (Petrov 83), Ireland, Bellamy, Tevez. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Zabaleta, Garrido, Weiss, Ball, Sylvinho.

West Ham (L2-3 v Liverpool, h): Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson (Gabbidon 25), Ilunga, Behrami (Kovac 27), Parker, Noble, Diamanti (Dyer 65), Cole, Hines. Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Spector, Nouble, Payne.

MOST RECENT MEETING

West Ham scorer: Collison 71

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