West Ham United vs Manchester City
The Premier League is back folks!
Premier League 2019 betting odds galore and more Premier League 2019 highlights than you can shake a proverbial stick at.
Yes, I know you’ve missed it, SBOBET fans!
I also know there is nothing quite like the combat the top level of the English game and, as we prepare for kick-off, the champions are in town with history in their sights.
Talking Points
Make no mistake, this is a tricky start for Manchester City as they chase what would be a record-equalling third successive top-flight title.
Last season, West Ham enjoyed, by their standards, a relatively tame campaign — free of some of the internal squabbles which had beset previous years.
Indeed, it was nine months of relative serenity under former City boss Manuel Pellegrini, whose air of calm made it a solid first season in charge.
That included some impressive results both home and away.
While talented troublemaker Marko Arnautovic has moved on, the additions of Spain attacker Pablo Fornals from Villarreal and striker Sebastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt for a club-record £45million will add quality and creativity.
Indeed, many writers believe you can bracket the Hammers with those other clubs who might fancy breaking into the top six if they get the wind in their sails.
Considering they have given the big boys a bloodied nose fairly regularly in Premier League history, the Hammers must first improve what is an abysmal record against City in the stadium that has been their home since 2016.
City have already shown they have no intention of giving up on silverware this term and added a fifth trophy in little over 12 months last Sunday.
Coach Pep Guardiola’s ethos of believing every match should be won is admirable. But in 2019-20, mental and physical resources will be saved if the FA and League Cups are sacrificed and retaining the league (again) and becoming champions of the continent is made the holy grail.
It remains a bone of discontent for the club that, despite having newfound and untold wealth since 2008, they have progressed beyond the Champions League quarter-finals just once. That was in 2016 under Pellegrini, when they were narrowly defeated by eventual winners Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
With the transfer window nearing towards its final 24 hours, arguably their only weakness is a failure to replace departed captain Vincent Kompany.
They have been strengthened at full-back, though, with the recruitment of Joao Cancelo from Juventus and Guardiola has faith in Fernandinho’s ability to play in defence should he be called upon – especially now they have signed his long-term replacement in Rodri.
It’s time to see the new signings in action in what should be an exciting end to end encounter.
Welcome back, Premier League.
History
City have won 56 of their meetings since the first encounter in 1924 with West Ham claiming 37 victories and a further 17 matches drawn.
However, their recent dominance has been quite emphatic. They have eight straight victories over the Hammers in all competitions and only one defeat in 11 games stretching back to April 2015 (if you include their pre-season clash last month).
Last season was a dominant one for City as they won 4-0 at the London Stadium courtesy of goals from David Silva, Raheem Sterling, and Leroy Sane (two).
A Sergio Aguero penalty settled a much closer encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
The season before was just as dominant as Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho were on target in a 4-1 league win.
And in 2016/17, City went on the rampage not once but twice on the Hammers’ turf.
They trounced them 5-0 in the FA Cup third round with Yaya Toure, Silva, Aguero and John Stones, plus an own goal, finding the net. They then beat them 4-0 in the league the following month – Kevin de Bruyne, Silva, Jesus and Toure the scorers on that occasion.
The Citizens have won all six of their Premier League games against the Hammers under Guardiola (scored 18, conceded three). The last West Ham triumph came in 2015 and was a shock 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Victor Moses and Diafra Sakho.
Betting Tip
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West Ham United vs Manchester City | Total Goal 4-6 @ 2.44 |
| August 10, 19:30 (GMT+8) |
As with so many games, City are overwhelming favourites, priced 1X2 @ 1.25 with the Hammers @ 10.50 and the draw @ 5.80 – that won’t happen very often at home this season.
Asian Handicap betting takes a similar trend.
My tip for the opening weekend is for goals aplenty and a narrow City win.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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