Manchester City will begin their bid to win a third Premier League title on the trot with a tough away fixture against West Ham United at the London Stadium.
West Ham had a memorable campaign last season, finishing seventh, two points behind Manchester United in sixth. Jarrod Bowen proved to be one of the revelations of last season and his two goals held Manchester City to a draw in this same fixture last season.
There are others capable of influencing the game, including captain Declan Rice and the irrepressible Michail Antonio. New signings Nayef Aguerd from Stade Rennais and Gianluca Scamacca from Sassuolo are expected to make a mark as David Moyes builds himself a star-studded side.
Manchester City Predicted Starting Lineup
Not long now! @premierleague 🔜#ManCity pic.twitter.com/Gho8H78CPJ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 4, 2022
How Manchester City Have Lined Up Recently
It will, however, be business as usual for Manchester City, who have dominated the Premier League in the last few seasons under Pep Guardiola.
They have allowed the transfer of Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal and Raheem Sterling to Chelsea, bringing in Norwegian goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund as a replacement. Julian Alvarez is another new face in the squad after he was loaned back to River Plate for the second half of last season.
City also brought the industrious Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United, but they may also suffer the loss of another midfielder as Barcelona are reported to be interested in Bernardo Silva. The player is said to like the idea of a switch to Spain and a bid can be expected if the Spanish giants manage to sort out their finances.
Manchester City are also on the lookout for a replacement for Oleksandr Zinchenko who has joined Arsenal. The search continues as City refused to meet Brighton’s price for Marc Cucurella who has joined Chelsea instead.
Guardiola’s traditionally lines up in a 4-3-3 formation. With players of considerable technical ability in every position, the team is unique in its fluidity as they pass the other team into submission.
Against Liverpool in the Community Shield, Manchester City lined up as Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne; Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez
Team Injuries to Consider
Aymeric Laporte is the only one on Manchester City’s injury list after undergoing surgery on his knee. He has been ruled out for the fixture.
Predicted Manchester City Starting Lineup
Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne; Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez
Current Odds: West Ham United vs Manchester City
Sky Bet predicts the odds at 15/2 for a win to West Ham, 17/4 for a draw and 1/3 for Manchester City to win.
