Don Hutchinson has warning for West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini ahead of Manchester City clash

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West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini may be looking forward to facing his old club but Don Hutchinson has a word of warning.

West Ham host the champions at the London Stadium as the Premier League resumes this weekend.

Facing Pep Guardiola’s free-scoring side is a daunting proposition for most teams.

But the Chilean has revealed how much he is looking forward to the occasion.

Pellegrini spoke with great affection about his time at the Etihad and told the club’s official website it will be a ‘special’ game for him.

Pellegrini wants West Ham to play like a big team

The Hammers boss has also been keen to impress on his players that he wants them to ‘play with the mentality of a big team’.

That means being brave and playing high up the pitch, forcing your game on the opposition.

It also means playing a high line which has led to an indifferent first third of the season.

And former West Ham midfielder Don Hutchinson had a stark warning for Pellegrini when speaking as a guest on Sky Sports’ The Debate.

‘Tricky game for West Ham’

“I thought City’s performance against Manchester United (3-1 last time out) was just incredible,” Hutchinson told The Debate.

“I don’t see them slipping up against West Ham. Tricky game for West Ham.

“If they play open football, which they want to see the fans, they could be in for a heavy number.

“I don’t think no-one beats them this season, I think they go invincible this season. The team I’m watching at the minute with players like David Silva, it’s just on a completely different level.”

For every Goliath, there’s a David

Hutchinson makes a salient point.

But West Ham are famous for causing upsets against the so-called bigger teams over the years.

Manchester City do look like they are embarking on something of a dynasty.

The odds are stacked against the Hammers.

Having under-performed in games they would expect to win like Bournemouth and Wolves at home and Brighton and Huddersfield away, from which they took one point from a possible 12, they have to pull a rabbit out of the hat somewhere.