A tricky but not uninspiring opener for reigning English champions Manchester City, who are licking their wounds after their 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Community Shield a week ago. Nothing more than the first act of a rivalry, the one with the Reds, that is likely to be renewed even during the season that has just begun. Barring the inclusion of any outsiders, the fight for the title will in fact be mainly about the two of them again. Pep Guardiola had probably counted on a knockout with Jurgen Klopp’s men, having only played two friendlies in the pre-season, both of which he won against Club America and Bayern Munich.
The Catalan coach’s next objective is to integrate Erling Haaland, the Citizens’ star signing of the summer, into his schemes as soon as possible: the Norwegian slinger had some important chances against the Citizens, did not take advantage of them but gave the impression of suffering too much from the type of football – more horizontal than the one he played at Borussia Dormund – that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach proposes.
David Moyes’ West Ham will also start with belligerent intentions, as they will try to confirm themselves after an exciting season that saw them reach the Europa League semi-finals and finish once again among the top seven in the Premier League. The Hammers have been big players in the summer market so far: not only have they managed – for now – to retain midfielders Rice and Soucek, but at the same time they have got their hands on potential cracks like Gianluca Scamacca and Nayef Aguerd, who arrived from Sassuolo and Rennes respectively. Four draws for the Londoners in the seven friendlies played.
David Moyes ©️Ansafoto
The Prediction
Manchester City should not miss the appointment with the victory this time but playing at the London Stadium is never a walk in the park and the 2-2 draw last season proves it. We expect another lively match, with both sides scoring.
The West Ham-Manchester City line-up probables
WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Dawson, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma; Antonio.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Aké, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden.
