West Ham welcome Man City to Upton Park on the back of an unwelcome FA Cup exit to the hands of Middlesbrough in a fifth round replay defeat at the Riverside Stadium.
The Hammers, who enjoyed a rich run of form throughout January, are yet to win in February as the month draws to a close, having lost to Man Utd at home, Bolton away, as well as the 1-1 draw at home to Boro in the cup as well as the replay exit.
City, who feature recently departed West Ham striker Craig Bellamy, won midweek in the UEFA Cup and secured a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday.
Hammers Team News:
Mark Noble is suspended and key defender James Collins will miss out because of a hamstring injury that kept the Welshman out of Wednesday’s FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough, meaning James Tomkins is likely to step in again.
Louis Boa Morte, as well as other long term absentees Kieron Dyer, Dean Ashton and Danny Gabbidon remain sidelined.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Collison, Kovac, Cole, Di Michele, Lastuvka, Lopez, Savio, Spector, Tristan, Sears.
Player to watch: Lucas Neill
West Ham were very narrow minded against Boro midweek. Lucas Neill was one of our main attacking threats and was arguably our main attacking threat in the said match.
Manchester City Team News:
Dangerman Shaun Wright-Philips is suspended and Gelson Fernandes remains unlikely to play due to injury.
Man City: Given, Hart, Schmeichel, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Kompany, Bridge, Garrido, Zabaleta, Elano, Caicedo, Ireland, de Jong, Fernandes, Robinho, Bellamy, Vassell, Weiss, Logan.
Player to watch: Craig Bellamy
Expect an icy reception for the Welshman who returns to West Ham for the first time since departing for City on Sunday. Bellamy has been on a decent run recently and will want to score against former employers, as always.
Match Facts & Stats
City recorded a 3-0 victory at the City of Manchester Stadium earlier this season, all goals in the second half thanks to a brace from Elano and the first from Daniel Sturridge.
Ref Watch:
Mike Dean (Wirral).
Match Prediction:
West Ham to nick it 1-0. We have been awful recently but City are dire on the road.
Next Fixtures:
Wigan Athletic (a)
Wednesday, 4th March 2009, 19:45
JJB Stadium
