West Ham United v Manchester City Preview

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Unbeaten in three games and with confidence flooding back, Man City make the journey south to face a resurgent West Ham side, flourishing under the inspirational leadership Johnny Pesky Jersey  of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke. These sides are only separated in the table by one place and just a solitary point, with City currently holding tenth position. A Blues win, however, would see them leapfrog the Hammers, Fulham and Wigan and catapult them into the top seven.City come into this game having progre sed during the week in the UEFA Cup and gaining a wonderful point at Anfield on their last Premier League outing, so they will be confident as they try to secure only their second away win this season. West Ham started this campaign slowly, but following Zolas appointment, made po sible by Alan Llywelyn George Curbishleys surprise resignation, they have improved rapidly and are climbing the table whilst at the same time, producing attractive, attacking football.Clarke and Zola have been pivotal to West Hams revivalTeam NewsIn all probability, Blues bo s Mark Hughes will revert to the side which performed so admirably against Liverpool. With Shaun Wright-Phillips suspended for the final match of his three game FA ban, Nifty Nige de Jong will come into the team, having been ineligible against FC Copenhagen in midweek. Creative midfielder Elano is also pushing for a recall, but it is likely that Hughes will stick with his Christmas tree formation.The visitors have been Hanley Ramirez Jersey  dealt a hammer blow, pun intended, with the news that key defender, James The Ginger Ninja Collins, will be out for the best part of a month with an injury. Already mi sing long-term absentees Dean Ashton, Keiron Dyer and Danny Gabbidon, to name but a few, thehome side are also without industrious midfielder Mark Noble, serving a one-match suspension for accumulating five yellow cards. The departure to City of Craig Bellamy has handed the diminutive Italian striker David Di Michele a regular opportunity up front, alongside the dangerous Carlton Cole. The former Chelsea giant has been in prolific form this season, notching a total of eight goals, and is starting to fulfill his vast potential.My Team GivenRichards Dunne Onuoha Bridge  Kompany de Jong Nomar Garciaparra Jersey  ZabaletaIreland   Robinho  BellamySubs: Hart, Logan, Garrido, Elano, Wei s, Caicedo, EvansDi Michele will probably start alongside Cole for West HamKey BattlesLucas Neill v RobinhoWith Citys formation allowing Robinho the freedom and liberty to stay up field, Australian money-grabber Neill can expect a thoroughly difficult 88 minutes (presuming that Felipe Caicedo replaces Robinho with a couple of minutes to go, as he usually does). The Brazilian looks to have rediscovered his touch, creating havoc for the Copenhagen defenders, and if City are to be victorious on Sunday, then one feels that Robinho will be involved  Bobby Doerr Jersey heavily.Scott Parker vPablo ZabaletaCity were strongly linked with defensive midfielder Parker in January, reportedly having three bids rejected by the Hammers. The former Chelsea and Charlton player is an integral cog in West Hams make-up, sitting in front of the defence and breaking up attacks. Zabaleta has been a revelation since his summer move from Espanyol, putting in a number of fantastic displays, both at right-back and in central midfield.Carlton Cole v Nedum Onuoha An intriguing battle between these two heavyweights may well decide the outcome of the match. Cole has been brilliant this season, thriving on added pre sure, whilst Onuoha has cemented his place Tyler Thornburg Jersey  in the City side with a series of no-nonsense, solid performances.Verdict: West Ham United 1  2 Manchester CityI believe that City will find an elusive away victory in an entertaining affair, with goals to be scored by Carlton Cole, Craig Bellamy and Stephen Ireland.