Later this evening the world will watch on as both Premier League and Champions League action will be on televisions up and down the country. Tottenham host RB Leipzig and Atalanta host Valencia in the Champions League whilst Manchester City host West Ham in the Premier League.
For the Hammers, this is not a game that they’re expecting to win, or to even get a point from, but it’s a game that has to be played, and there is always the off chance that David Moyes could spring a surprise on Pep Guardiola, no matter how unlikely.
Ahead of the clash, though, The Evening Standard have looked into the Manchester City squad and put together a predicted starting eleven going off who they’ve got fit, and the news is that Raheem Sterling will miss the clash, whilst the returning Leroy Sane also looks set to miss out as Pep Guardiola has claimed the German international ‘needs weeks’ before he’s ready.
This doesn’t make West Ham’s task easy, but it certainly makes it easier than it would have been had Sterling and Sane been available, and if the Hammers are at their very, very best and face a Man City side on an off day, then there’s the chance they could nick a result.
Where will our next win come from?
Liverpool
Southampton
Arsenal/Wolves/Tottenham/Chelsea
Newcastle/Burnley/Norwich
Here’s what the article states:
‘Guardiola said ahead of the initial date for their meeting with West Ham it will take “weeks” for Sterling to recover – but admitted he could be without him for months.’
“It’s a hamstring and we will see,” he said. “It takes weeks, but we’ll see if he is ready for Leicester, Madrid and the rest of the games. I don’t know (if it will be weeks or months).’
“It’s a problem, but it’s a problem we had with (Ilkay) Gundogan, (Aymeric) Laporte this season for four or five months. It is what it is. It’s a problem with this kind of season, particularly for the players.”
‘Better news for City is Leroy Sane’s recovery from knee ligament damage.’
‘The Germany winger is back in full training after missing the first five months of the season.’
‘Guardiola added: “He’s started to train. He’s still not there, he needs to recover, tempo, rhythm, confidence, don’t think about the injury. He needs time, he’ll be there. It’s not like ankle or muscular.’
“It’ still needs time. He needs weeks. What’s important is he’s recovered well, he’ll come back stronger than before, but now he needs time.”
