West Ham vs Manchester City - LIVE! Latest score, updates and analysis from the London Stadium
The champions head from Eastlands to east London chasing some Premier League records
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West Ham have a tough task this afternoon as they look to secure their Premier League future against champions Manchester City.
The Hammers currently sit 15th, six points clear of the relegation zone but could all-but secure their future with a victory, but it could admittedly be difficult against Guardiola’s men.
Elsewhere, the recently-crowned champions will be highly-motivated to earn maximum points as their quest to break the Premier League points record edges closer to completion.
Follow the latest in the live blog below...
Preview
What time is it?
The game kicks off at 2:15pm on Sunday.
Where can I see it?
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League.
It’s a big game for…
David Moyes. If the Hammers do earn the win, it would mean quite the impact at the London Stadium by the Scot. A victory could pretty much mean survival.
Having said that, a loss could potentially put the Hammers back in a perilous position. The Londoners could potentially be only three points clear of the drop zone by the end of play at the weekend. Whilst their future would still be in their own hands, it would make for an uncomfortable last few weeks of the season.
The best stat…
Manchester City have won their last two away games against West Ham United by an aggregate scoreline of 9-0.
The Citizens won 4-0 in their first trip to London Stadium in 2017. They netted five in their last visit to the Boleyn Ground.
Remember when…
Jack Collison earned West Ham a tight 1-0 victory over City at the Boleyn Ground back in 2009.
Player to watch…
Raheem Sterling. Slightly unfortunate to have missed out on the PFA Young Player of the Year Award, Sterling has been brilliant all season long. He has notched a career-best haul of 23 goals in all competitions and has been one of the catalysts behind Manchester City’s procession to the title.
He has been involved in six goals in his last five Premier League games with three strikes of his own and three assists. The winger also had a hand in five goals in three appearances against West Ham last season.
Form guide…
West Ham United: LLWDDL
Manchester City: WLLLWW (all comps)
Good afternoon and welcome to the Independent's live coverage of today's Premier League action. I'm Jack Watson and I'll be taking you through West Ham vs Manchester City, but enough pleasantries, on with the team news!
Team News
Adrian replaces Joe Hart in goal as the Manchester City loanee is not able to play against his parent club. David Moyes opts to start former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and brings in Manuel Lanzini to support Marko Arnautovic up front.
Team News
Kyle Walker comes into the Manchester City team in place of Danilo, Nicolas Otamendi, Fernandinho and Leroy Sane are the other players introduced to the side which mauled Swansea last week.
Mendy's return
Benjamin Mendy made his long awaited return last week after a seven month spell on the sidelines. His ten minute cameo during Manchester City's 5-0 battering of Swansea has inspired him to push for a place in the first team, although he has strong competition ahead of him.
“It has been a very long time, but every day I worked hard... I knew with this injury we had to wait and work, but seven months on I am strong,” Mendy said.
“Maybe he (Delph) will take my place... I need to work hard for my comeback but he has done great for the team this year, and (Oleksandr) Zinchenko the same.
“What they do for the team and what they have contributed to the season, we really have to thank them for being available and for delivering this type of performance.”
What's at stake?
Results yesterday really didn't go West Ham's way which means they'll be very keen to pick up some unlikely points this afternoon.
Stoke earned a draw and Anfield, and Southampton beat Bournemouth to take them just three points behind the Hammers.
David Moyes' are three points clear of the relegation zone but it's a far from comfortable position to be in, especially with Leicester and Manchester United to come.
In pictures: Last Time
Second half goals from Nicolas Otamendia and David Silva cancelled out Angelo Ogbonna's first half strike when these sides met at the Etihad in the Premier League earlier in the season.
Moyes hoping Adrian outplays Hart
Joe Hart has played himself back into England contention with a nice run of form but is ineligible against Manchester City which means Adrian starts.
Hart's form this season has been inconsistent, to say the least, and David Moyes is hoping Adrian can put in a performance to give him a selection headache.
"I hope Adrian plays so well against Manchester City that he is available for the next one, that's the plan," said Moyes.
"You're never going to play City without your goalkeeper having to play well, so we need a big game from Adrian on Sunday. Then if you get in and you do well..."
With the title wrapped up you think City may loosen their grip on their command of the rest of the league, but after putting five past Swansea we know that's clearly not the case.
"I don't know if there is any good time to play Manchester City," said Moyes, "the form they are in, the players they have got available and the quality of those players."
"But we have to play them all twice and we will do everything we can to give them a game, to make it as tough as we can. The objective is to try and take all the points."
Ederson to score?
Should Manchester City win a penalty this afternoon all eyes will be on Ederson who said scoring is the one thing he has left to achieve this season.
"If the manager had asked me to go there, I would have definitely scored," the goalkeeper said. "City have their regular penalty takers and we have good options, but if Pep asks me to take it, I'm there."
"I'm not sure if I would be able to do set-pieces, but I'm good at penalties, either using power or technique when I'm shooting," Ederson added.
In response to his goalkeeper volunteering to take penalties, Pep Guardiola said: "it's not going to happen.
"There is respect for the opponent, respect for competitions. In friendlies maybe he can do it but in a league game, no."
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