West Ham United face a daunting task when they take on Manchester City tonight.
Pep Guardiola’s side are gunning to retain their Premier League title.
The Hammers ended a run of five games without a win when they beat Fulham 3-1 last time out.
Meanwhile Man City had a break from league action as they lifted the Carabao Cup with a penalty shootout victory over Chelsea on Sunday.
Hammers target seventh as City eye title
West Ham are aiming to finish seventh, which could reward them with a Europa League place.
But they will be up against it at the Etihad even if former City boss Manuel Pellegrini has been boosted by the return of key players from injury in the last week.
West Ham have taken some hammerings from City during their money years.
Pellegrini’s side were beaten 4-0 in the reverse fixture. But the scoreline flattered City as West Ham fluffed a host of golden chances at crucial stages of the game.
‘They’re not the same team’
Not many will give West Ham a chance in the game. Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson certainly doesn’t, predicting a 3-0 win for the hosts.
But the former Arsenal man has given Pellegrini hope by explaining how the Hammers can secure a positive result.
“If you can drag a game on for as long as possible, Manchester City are not the same team,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“When they get 1-0 and 2-0 up in the first 15, 20 minutes, you might as well go home. They all want the ball.
West Ham can make City ‘iffy’
“But as it drags on, they get a bit nervous, not many want the ball and it gets a bit iffy.”
Pellegrini looks set to make three changes to the side which beat Fulham last time out, read full story here.
West Ham’s squad looked in good spirits before the big game, see picture gallery here.
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