Kick-off: 1630, 07/08/2022
Stadium: London Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
West Ham have made great progress under David Moyes over the past couple of years, including in their clashes with Manchester City.
The Hammers have picked up a point in two straight Premier League meetings at London Stadium and beat the Blues on penalties in the EFL Cup here last term.
We reckon 5.0 for another stalemate is tempting enough to be our first West Ham vs Man City prediction.
West Ham United Odds
After finishing 16th in 2020, West Ham have been sixth and seventh in the table at the end of the last two seasons.
On each occasion, the Hammers threatened to fare even better and climb as high as the top four.
Just one win in the final seven league games saw them falter late on last term but reaching the Europa League semi-finals was a distraction.
United have a strong spine, with Kurt Zouma, Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek laying the platform for a useful forward line.
Jarrod Bowen has developed into a top-notch performer alongside Said Benrahma and Michail Antonio is always a handful when fit.
Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd looks another shrewd recruit from French side Rennes, having been capped 25 times by his country.
“We have tracked his progress for some time and I’m very pleased we have been able to complete the signing,” said Moyes. “He’s a great addition that will add to our defensive options.
“I have been really impressed with Nayef’s character and attitude during our discussions. He has a great desire to improve and be successful and I am sure he will fit in very well.”
Mark Noble, Ryan Fredericks and Andriy Yarmolenko were released, but Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca, who is an Italy international and scored 16 goals in Serie A last season, was snapped up for £35.5m.
Swansea midfielder Flynn Downes and Burnley winger Maxwel Cornet are other nice additions, while keeper Alphonse Areola has completed a permanent move after impressing on loan last term.
It was 2-2 when these teams last met in May and 6.0 for another score draw may be worth the extra risk for our West Ham vs Man City betting tips.
Manchester City Odds
City had to rally from being 2-0 down in that game and produced an even more remarkable comeback on the closing day to clinch a fourth Premier League title in five years.
Ilkay Gundogan’s brace either side of a Rodri strike between 76 and 81 minutes turned things around in a 3-2 triumph over Aston Villa.
However, there was Champions League disappointment again for Pep Guardiola after an incredible fightback from Real Madrid in the semis.
Several established players ended the season unsettled due to a lack of playing time and Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko were allowed to move on.
The arrival of goalscoring sensation Erling Haaland for a cut-price fee of £51.1million from Borussia Dortmund will offset any concerns, though.
Leeds-born Haaland, who scored 86 goals in 89 games for the German club, follows in the footsteps of his father Alf Inge, who played for City from 2000-03.
“This is a proud day for me and my family,” Haaland told the club’s website. “I have always watched City and have loved doing so in recent seasons.
“You can’t help but admire their style of play, it’s exciting and they create a lot of chances, which is perfect for a player like me.
“There are so many world-class players in this squad and Pep is one of the greatest managers of all time, so I believe I am in the right place to fulfil my ambitions.
“I want to score goals, win trophies and improve as a footballer – and I am confident I can do that here. This is a great move for me.”
Leeds and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips looks another rock-solid buy at £50m, while Argentine forward Julian Alvarez netted in a 3-1 Community Shield defeat by Liverpool.
The Blues did lose first time out at Tottenham last term, though, so we feel they are just a bit too short in the West Ham vs Man City odds.
City have trailed on their last two league visits to London Stadium and 3.4 for the Hammers to break the deadlock again is our final pick.
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