City face West Ham at Eastlands defending their unbeaten home start to the season.
The blues have won their first two games at home with their 1-0 win over Wolves followed by the now infamous Adebayor inspired 4-2 win over Arsenal. The blues have had a good league record against the Hammers at Eastlands, winning six games out of nine at home with two drawn. The Hammers only victory in the Premier League at Eastlands came in the 2002/03 season when the blues lost 1-0.
The game will mark the end of striker Emmanuel Adebayor’s three game suspension, but the striker will then discover if he is guilty of improper conduct following his goal celebrations during the Arsenal game.
Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy look set to continue the roles they took in last weekend’s derby, both of whom will be facing their old club. Stephen Ireland is doubtful after suffering concussion in the League Cup victory over Fulham while Robinho, Vincent Kompany, Roque Santa Cruz and Benjani are still out injured.
The Hammers will be missing Dean Ashton and Luis Boa Morte while England star Matthew Upson and Jack Collinson are doubtful, meaning manager Gianfranco Zola may be forced to play the same team that lost their Carling Cup tie at Bolton in midweek.
Following last week’s derby defeat, the blues will be looking to take it out on someone but I don’t think it will be the Hammers who will be hammered. Zola has a assembled a good squad working together and although it will be difficult, the blues should prevail and record a third home win of the season and the sixth straight home win since a 3-1 defeat to Fulham last season.
Prediction: City 2-0 West Ham