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Manchester City are looking to make it seven victories in a row when they host West Ham United in the Premier League
Manchester City supporters can expect Pep Guardiola to make several changes to the side which beat Brentford in the Carabao Cup in midweek when they host West Ham on Saturday. The City chief told the media after the win over Crystal Palace he would be prioritising the game against the Hammers and so it proved.
City made seven changes in total, albeit Phil Foden was drafted in after less than 20 minutes due to an injury to Oscar Bobb. Guardiola confirmed the players who were missing through injury on Wednesday night remain absent for this weekend which leaves options slightly stretched.
However, the Blues should revert to the back four and goalkeeper which Guardiola has preferred throughout the season so far. Nico O'Reilly did feature against Brentford but as the City boss has said previously, he is young and can recover quicker than some of the more experienced heads in the dressing room.
Guardiola is desperate to have Rodri back in the squad as we approach Christmas. Nico Gonzalez has been holding down the fort in defensive midfield in Rodri's absence and is playing a lot of minutes at present out of necessity. He was replaced after 66 minutes in midweek but he is in need of a rest.
Unfortunately for him, it is unlikely to come against the East London strugglers. Guardiola will not risk starting without Gonzalez in central midfield for a game in the Premier League. As mentioned, Foden was not given the rest he was hoping for in midweek but considering his form, it is hard not to pick him.
The same goes for Rayan Cherki who has been producing some sensational performances as of late for the Blues. Either man could be replaced by Savinho in the starting line-up if necessary.
The winger produced a brilliant, bursting run against Palace to win a penalty and scored in midweek so his stock and confidence is high. But, if Cherki and Foden are well, they shall start.
As will Erling Haaland who is an undroppable for Premier League fixtures. Should City win, they will move to the top of the Premier League for a few hours at least due to Arsenal's late kick-off against Everton on Saturday night.
City predicted XI vs West Ham: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Bernardo, Gonzalez, Reijnders; Cherki, Foden; Haaland
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