Premier League | Matchweek 17 | Saturday, December 20, 2025
Manchester City host West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Pep Guardiola’s side look to maintain pressure on leaders Arsenal. City sit second on 34 points, just two behind the Gunners, while West Ham occupy 18th place with 13 points and desperately need results to climb out of the relegation zone before Christmas.
Table Context
City’s plus-22 goal difference (38 scored, 16 conceded) reflects the league’s most potent attack. West Ham’s minus-13 (19 scored, 32 conceded) represents the third-worst defense in the Premier League, a statistic that spells trouble against Erling Haaland, who has scored back-to-back hat-tricks against the Hammers in previous seasons.
AFCON departures have impacted both squads, with key players leaving early for the tournament in Morocco.
Head-to-Head History
The fixture offers West Ham nothing but pain. City have won all six of their last Premier League meetings at the Etihad against the Hammers, with zero draws and zero away victories. Overall across the last 10 encounters, City dominate 8-2-0 with seven wins by two or more goals.
The aggregate score in the last five meetings at this venue reads 14-3 in City’s favor. West Ham have not beaten Manchester City in the Premier League since September 2015.
Manchester City Form
City arrive in blistering form. Their last six matches overall produced W5-D0-L1, averaging 2.50 goals scored and just 0.83 conceded per game. Victories over Real Madrid and Crystal Palace have maintained momentum.
Their last three home matches show W3-D0-L0 with 2.67 goals scored and a mere 0.33 conceded per game. The Etihad has become a fortress, with comfortable wins over Brentford and Sunderland recently. City have led at halftime in 12 of their 16 matches this season.
West Ham Form
West Ham’s last six overall reads W1-D2-L3, averaging 1.17 goals scored and 1.83 conceded per game. A 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend continued their struggles.
Away form shows W0-D3-L0 in the last three, managing gritty draws at Manchester United, Brighton, and Bournemouth with 1.00 goals scored and 1.00 conceded per game. However, the Hammers have conceded at least one goal in nine consecutive matches and ship 60% of their goals after the 60th minute.
Tactical Outlook
The possession battle is predetermined. City average 64% (league high) while West Ham sit at 42% and will deploy a deep low block. City generate 17.2 shots per game compared to West Ham’s 10.5.
The tactical hinge centers on set-pieces. Without Rodri anchoring midfield, City have shown slight vulnerability from dead balls. James Ward-Prowse and Jarrod Bowen’s delivery represents West Ham’s primary route to goal. Bowen faces a crucial individual battle against Joško Gvardiol, who must balance defensive duties with his inverted full-back role.
Team News
City’s midfield remains stretched. Rodri (fitness), Mateo Kovačić (ankle), John Stones (leg), and Jérémy Doku (leg) are unavailable. Omar Marmoush and Rayan Aït-Nouri have departed for AFCON. Oscar Bobb (hamstring) is doubtful. Rico Lewis or İlkay Gündoğan will anchor midfield.
West Ham lose Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Diouf to AFCON. Łukasz Fabiański (back) faces a late test. Vladimír Coufal steps in at right-back but lacks Wan-Bissaka’s recovery pace against City’s wingers.
City will likely deploy a 4-1-4-1 or 3-2-4-1. West Ham are expected to set up in a defensive 5-4-1.
Man City (Probable XI): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Gündoğan; Savinho, De Bruyne, Foden, Grealish; Haaland.
West Ham (Probable XI): Areola; Coufal, Todibo, Kilman, Mavropanos, Emerson; Bowen, Souček, Álvarez, Kudus; Antonio.
Numbers to Watch
- 7: City’s consecutive home PL wins against West Ham
- 17: Haaland’s league goals this season
- 2015: Year of West Ham’s last PL win against City
Where to Watch
Kickoff: 3:00 PM GMT
UK: Not broadcast (Saturday 3 PM blackout) | International: Peacock (US), FuboTV (Canada), Optus Sport (Australia)
