West Ham players celebrate. (Getty Images)
West Ham travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City, hoping to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League.
The Hammers have slipped into the relegation zone after going winless in last five league games. They drew 3-3 with Brighton last time out after twice boasting two-goal leads, leaving David Moyes’ side clinging on for a draw.
Sunday’s hosts, Manchester City suffered a frustrating afternoon at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, going down to a 2-0 defeat to the east Londoners.
Both Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko are likely to miss the match. Jack Wilshere remains sidelined for now.
Fabianski hasn’t been in top form since returning from injury. The Pole will have to be at the top of his game to keep a clean sheet on Sunday.
Fredericks had a very poor game against Brighton, so Moyes could go with veteran Zabaleta against Man City. Zabaleta will be eager to prove a point against his former employers.
Diop has had a poor season as per the standards he set in his debut campaign. However, the Frenchman will retain his place at the back.
Ogbonna is actually having a fine season with West Ham. He will have a task cut out against the strong Man City attack.
Cresswell could be deployed in a back three on Sunday, which will add some extra cushion.
Masuaku has always been exciting going forward and he could get the license to bomb forward from the left wing-back role.
Rice would be act as a shield for West Ham’s defence, doing the dirty job in midfield.
Partnering Rice in the middle of the park would be Noble, who’ll have to be at his best to control the tempo of the game at the Etihad Stadium.
Soucek impressed on his West Ham debut against Brighton with his passing and ball-retention skills. The 24-year-old will play a crucial role in being the link between the midfield and attack.
Antonio is a pacey and powerful player, who can problems to City’s fragile defence. He will start up front with Haller.
Haller hasn’t had a great debut season with the Hammers, but he could be a threat from set-pieces on Sunday.
