Manchester City continue their Women’s Super League campaign this Sunday with the visit of West Ham at the Joie Stadium.
Gareth Taylor’s side narrowly beat Brighton at the same venue last time out, while the Hammers fought back to draw 1-1 against Liverpool at home. The visitors were in League Cup action on Wednesday night, but City have next week’s visit of Barcelona looming large.
With both Chelsea and Manchester United out of action this weekend due to a postponement, City have a strong opportunity to put some points on the board and pile early pressure on their likely title rivals.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Sunday’s clash.
Man City vs West Ham H2H Record (all time)
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch Man City vs Brighton on TV and live stream
Man City team news
Sandy MacIver and Risa Shimizu remain City’s long-term absentees and are unavailable for Sunday’s clash at the Joie Stadium. However, midfielder Jill Roord made her return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury last week following a remarkable eight-month recovery.
After picking up a knock against Paris FC in the Champions League, defender Alex Greenwood was fit and available to face Brighton last week. However, Leila Ouahabi was absent after she picked up a groin injury in the opening match against Arsenal.
With a Champions League group stage clash against European giants Barcelona on the horizon, Taylor may look to rotate in the league.
Man City predicted lineup vs West Ham
Man City predicted lineup vs West Ham (4-3-3): Yamashita; Casparij, Kennedy, Aleixandri, Layzell; Park, Hasegawa, Miedema; Kelly, Shaw, Hemp.
West Ham team news
West Ham will be without long-term absentee Jess Ziu, who sustained an ACL injury back in August. She has undergone surgery and is now off crutches as she continues her recovery.
Skinner was able to rotate heavily midweek for their League Cup meeting with Championship side Portsmouth. Three players were handed competitive debuts for the club, while the likes of Riko Ueki and Viviane Asseyi were second half substitutes.
West Ham predicted lineup vs Man City (3-4-3): Szemik; Cooke, Tysiak, Zadorsky; Li, Gorry, Brynjarsdottir, Denton; Harries, Ueki, Asseyi.
Man City vs West Ham score prediction
With such a significant Champions League fixture just around the corner, City could be forgiven for having one eye on midweek. If West Ham are to pick up any form of a positive result, they will have to hope the hosts’ performance drops by a percent or two.
Skinner’s side will be boosted by their second half comeback to draw against Liverpool, as well as their thumping of Portsmouth in the League Cup. However, their dismantling at the hands of Man Utd is arguably the clearer indicator of which way this game will go.
