Manchester City vs West Ham United Predictions

• Over 3.5 goals has been a winning bet in five of City’s last seven home games.
• Four of West Ham’s last five overall have seen at least four goals scored.
• City have won their last 13 home games across all competitions.
• John Stones has two goals in his last three league games.

City in control in title tussle

Manchester City moved into pole position in the Premier League by seeing off Fulham over the weekend but they may have been knocked off top spot by the time they face West Ham on Wednesday, as Arsenal play Chelsea on Tuesday.

Pep Guardiola’s men have their destiny in their own hands and are unlikely to slip up against the Hammers – but they may not have it all their own way at the Etihad Stadium against a side still in need of points to guarantee their survival.

Kevin De Bruyne missed City’s win at Fulham over the weekend with an unexplained injury. Guardiola simply said he “has some injury and could not travel” after the fixture and it remains unclear as to whether or not he will be involved on Wednesday.

Defender Nathan Ake missed a third successive fixture against Fulham and is unlikely to return, while Gianluca Scamacca is missing for the visitors and Kurt Zouma won’t be available after being forced off early in West Ham’s defeat to Crystal Palace.

City swatting opponents aside

City were given a scare at Craven Cottage as Fulham cancelled out an early Erling Haaland penalty before they went on to record a 2-1 win.

At home, however, they look unstoppable and have won their last 13 games across all competitions and the goals have been flowing, with City scoring 27 goals in total across their last six home games – an average of 4.5 per-game.

As City are the heavy favourites to win the goals markets may be the best option in this fixture as West Ham may also be able to add to the total. The Hammers have scored in 12 straight games themselves, and over 3.5 goals looks the best option for the main bet.

City can win with room to spare

The handicap markets are another option as City should be able to win comfortably, even if De Bruyne does miss out. A 4-1 victory for the hosts is my correct score prediction as the Hammers shipped four at Crystal Palace last time out and two of City’s last three home league wins have been 4-1 successes and they have conceded in six of their last eight games, while there is also the chance Guardiola could withdraw some of his key men if City do build up a big lead as they have a Champions League semi-final on the horizon.

Erling Haaland will always appeal as a possible scorer for City and there are plenty of other usual suspects as well, but as an outside bet John Stones stands out. The defender goes up for set pieces and has two goals in his last three league games, as well as recording an assist in the Champions League double-header with Bayern, so at a big price he may be worth a small stake to get on the scoresheet.

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