MAN CITY v West Ham – PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team

What an opportunity! With Spurs having lost at Chelsea yesterday, a win for the Blues at home to West Ham would send us seven points clear of our closest challengers with just four games to play. Those games do include matches against Everton and Spurs, sides who have caused us numerous problems in the past, but a win on Sunday would be much appreciated!

We have an impressive record against the Hammers, having won five and drawn one of the past meetings between the sides at Eastlands. We were victorious in the return fixture, 3-1 at Upton Park, a match notable for the manner in which we won without Carlos Tévez. West Ham have lost five of their past six fixtures, and come into this match lacking in confidence and belief.

With regards to team selection, I would like to think that Mancini will revert back to the same tactics which he employed to great effect in the 5-0 victory over Sunderland. That game saw Nigel de Jong and Yaya Touré operate from slightly deeper, with the quartet of Johnson, Silva, Tévez and Balotelli given license to roam around in attack. With Dzeko replacing the injured Tévez, that could easily be the line-up we see.

The visitors, although struggling at the foot of the table, possess a certain amount of quality in their side. Midfielder Scott Parker was voted the FWA player of the season, but is out injured for this match. Up front, Carlton Cole is, on his day, unplayable, whilst Demba Ba has shown an eye for goal since joining the Hammers in January. Wayne Bridge, on loan from City, is ineligible.

Key Battle

Mario Balotelli v Matthew Upson

Upson, the former Arsenal trainee, is one of West Ham’s most experienced performers, but has had a relatively poor season. Their defence has leaked goals left, right and centre and Upson will face a tough test against City’s strikers. Balotelli has looked slightly more settled in recent games and is due a goal at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Referee: Howard Webb – The best referee in the world last season, he exudes authority on the field. Very dependable.

Prediction: MAN CITY 3 – 1 West Ham - If City start well, we could see plenty of goals. I’m backing Balotelli, Dzeko, Johnson and Ba to get on the scoresheet.