'Big challenge in Man City,' West Ham boss Lopetegui says ahead of clash.

2024-09-15

In a clash of aspirations and history, West Ham host reigning champions Manchester City at the London Stadium, with new manager Julen Lopetegui aiming for a third consecutive victory despite his side's daunting 17-game winless streak against the Sky Blues.

West Ham United

New boss Julen Lopetegui guided West Ham to a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth in the EFL Cup, securing a third-round matchup against Liverpool. This win marked a second consecutive triumph for Lopetegui after a comfortable 2-0 league win over Crystal Palace, his first since replacing David Moyes.

Currently sitting 9th in the table with three points from two matches, West Ham is gearing up for a challenging encounter against Manchester City. Lopetegui, celebrating his 58th birthday with the recent win, expressed readiness for the weekend's challenge.

However, the Hammers face a daunting task, having a 17-game winless streak against City. With a struggling defensive record at home, where they have conceded in each of their last ten Premier League matches, a victory seems unlikely.

For the upcoming match, West Ham is expected to field a 4—1—4—1 formation, featuring new arrival Füllkrug in attack. This lineup aims to break their unenviable run against the reigning champions.

Manchester City

Manchester City are one of the four sides boasting a 100% winning record in the Premier League after last weekend’s 4-1 victory over newcomers Ipswich Town. A hat-trick from Erling Haaland, coupled with a goal from Kevin De Bruyne, secured the win in front of the home fans.

City lead the league standings, thanks to a slightly better goal difference over Arsenal, Brighton, and Liverpool. Pep Guardiola aims to keep his team at the top of the table by the end of Match Day 3 as they visit the capital.

With more away goals against West Ham than any other side in the Premier League, City are expected to have few difficulties in overcoming them. Despite the excitement of the Champions League draw, where City will face Inter Milan, Juventus, and PSG, the focus remains on their preparations for the weekend clash.

A 4—2—3—1 formation with Erling Haaland leading the attack is anticipated. The Norwegian striker currently tops the goalscoring charts with 4 goals.