Manchester City have been on a great run this season, racing out into the lead in the Premier League title race with a perfect start. They’ve won all five of their matches, scoring 11 goals and not allowing a single one so far this season in the league -- though a poor second half in their Champions League match last Tuesday saw them cough up a lead and lose to Juventus.
Manchester City vs. West Ham 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
West Ham already have two big upsets under their belts this season. Can they make it three and end Manchester City’s perfect record?
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If they’re not careful, City might suffer the same fate again on Saturday, facing this season’s upset kings of England. West Ham are a big surprise so far this season, sitting in fifth place on the strength of two huge upset victories, having upended both Arsenal and Liverpool by a combined 5-0 scoreline -- and with both matches coming away from home, just like this tilt against Manchester City.
Is another shocking upset on the cards today? City are vulnerable, and West Ham have shown that they’re up to a fight with any opponent. This match could get very interesting by the time it’s done.
Key player -- Andy Carroll (West Ham)
“Wait,” you’re thinking. “What? Andy Carroll? In a match with Manchester City, Andy freakin’ Carroll is the key player? The writer’s gotta be kidding.” It’s no joke, promise. With the injuries to both sides sapping both West Ham’s attack and Manchester City’s defense -- particularly with City dealing with the absence of their best “power” defender in Vincent Kompany -- Carroll’s importance to this match skyrockets. If he can consistently overpower Nicolas Otamendi or Eliaquim Mangala, both of whom sometimes struggle with bigger, stronger forwards, then West Ham will have a big leg up in this match.
Key Matchup -- Fernandinho (Manchester City) vs. Dimitri Payet (West Ham)
Where exactly Payet lines up for this match is a bit of a mystery. He’s played both on the left wing and as an attacking midfielder behind the striker -- the latter of of the two roles being the one he played his best match at last weekend, scoring a brace against Newcastle in a West Ham win. In either position, Payet will be a hugely influential figure in the Hammers’ attack, and since even on the wing he tends to drift inside, it’s going to largely up to Fernandinho to keep him at bay. The Brazilian midfielder has enjoyed a strong start to the season, but will face a tough task in trying to stop Payet in this match. If Fernandinho can shut the Frenchman down, though, it will dramatically boost Manchester City’s chances of winning.
Manchester City injuries and suspensions
Out: Vincent Kompany (calf), Pablo Zabaleta (knee), Gael Clichy (foot), Fabian Delph (hamstring) In doubt: Samir Nasri (knock)
West Ham United injuries and suspensions
Out: Angelo Ogbonna (hamstring), Alex Song (foot), Joey O’Brien (calf), Enner Valencia (knee) In doubt: Pedro Obiang (ankle), Mauro Zarate (hamstring)
Manchester City’s defense is looking mighty thin right now, with Kompany, Clichy and Zabaleta all out of this match. Their depth is being sorely tested, and Manuel Pellegrini is hoping that all three will be back and fully healthy sooner rather than later. West Ham, meanwhile, aren’t in any better shape, and don’t have quite the same quality of depth to help deal with their injury issues. Health could be the deciding factor more than anything else in this match.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. local
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish), TSN2 (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sky Go, Sky Go Extra (U.K.)
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