Below you can find Dean’s match preview and reasoning behind each part of the bet builder, with the option to back each individual leg directly through oddschecker at best price.

With the home crowd behind them, West Ham will hope to reverse their recent fortunes against City and secure a result that could set the tone for a strong campaign.

Edson Alvarez, who made his first start for the Hammers midweek since pulling his hamstring, could keep his place in midfield, competing with Tomas Soucek, Guido Rodriguez, and James Ward-Prowse for a spot. 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka might shift back to his preferred right-back role, allowing Emerson Palmieri to return on the left, while Kudus, Lucas Paqueta, and Michail Antonio are also in contention for starting roles, with Antonio possibly replacing Niclas Fullkrug up front.

Manchester City, on the other hand, come into this fixture with the confidence of a team that's already in full stride. Pep Guardiola's men have dominated West Ham in recent years, including a 3-1 victory in the capital last season. 

With a perfect start to their title defence, even without their main man Rodri, City will be looking to extend their winning streak and continue asserting their dominance over the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola has his own injury concerns, with Oscar Bobb out for several months following leg surgery and Rodri still a fitness doubt despite returning to training. Phil Foden, who missed the Ipswich win due to illness, is expected to be fit, as is Mateo Kovacic, who suffered a knock last weekend. 

Defensively, Kyle Walker and John Stones are pushing for starts, though Guardiola might stick with the back four of Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol. 

Meanwhile, Savinho and Jeremy Doku could retain their spots in the starting lineup ahead of Jack Grealish on either flank. 

Man City to Win

Theres not many teams that can stop this light blue machine under the reins of Pep. They’ve started the season scoring twice against Chelsea and four against Ipswich last weekend.

Man City have the upper hand in head to heads against the Hammers, scoring three or more goals in their last three meetings, winning 3-1, 3-1 and 3-0, Haaland scoring four in his last four against them.

Haaland to Score

In the last 17 games Haaland has scored for City, they’ve gone on to win the game. When Haaland scores, they very rarely fail to pick up all three points. The last time that happened was against Liverpool in November 2023 where Haaland scored in a 1-1 draw.

Soucek Over 1.5 Tackles

Soucek will also be in for a very busy evening in that midfield area where I expect him to pick up a few tackles against this City side. In his three games this season he has made two, three and two tackles, making three against City last game of the 23/24 season.

Soucek has been more right side of the midfield which means he should come into contact at points with the Belgian Jeremy Doku, who is a machine for being direct and getting tackled.