Manchester City vs West Ham United Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Manchester City vs West Ham United Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: December 20th, 2025 | Etihad Stadium | Premier League | 15:00 (GMT)

The Etihad Stadium prepares for another chapter in its increasingly one-sided history as Manchester City host West Ham United. For the Citizens, this fixture represents a critical opportunity to maintain the relentless pace at the top of the table against a side they have dominated for years. With Pep Guardiola's team in formidable goalscoring form, the pressure is squarely on the Hammers to defy the odds, find a defensive shield, and conjure a moment of magic that has so often eluded them in this particular contest. As the Premier League calendar enters the festive crunch, City will be expecting nothing less than three points to solidify their title aspirations. At the same time, West Ham will be desperate to get more points on the board in a bid to survive the drop.

Key Betting Tip: Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score at 2.00 odds (talkSPORT BET) represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our team of in-house tipsters.

Manchester City vs West Ham United Predicted Lineups

Manchester City Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma (GK), O’Reilly, Gvardiol, Dias, Nunes; Gonzalez, Reijndes, Cherki, Silva, Foden; Haaland

Team News: Jeremy Doku, John Stones, Rodri, and Mateo Kovacic are expected to miss this game due to injury. Ait-Nouri and Marmoush are absent due to the AFCON getting underway; however, neither are a regular starter for City.

West Ham United Predicted XI (4-3-1-2): Areola (GK), Walker-Peters, Todibo, Mavropanos, Scarles; Potts, Magassa, Fernandes; Paqueta, Bowen, Summerville

Team News: The Hammers are badly affected by the AFCON, losing both of their starting full-backs, Wan-Bissaka and Diouf. Walker-Peters and academy graduate Scarles will be expected to step in. Scarles’ previous two Premier League starts this season (against Leeds and Brentford) were moments to forget at the beginning of Nuno’s coaching reign.

Manchester City vs West Ham United Current League Standings

Manchester City currently sit in second on 34 points and boasts the division's best goal difference (+22). Their attack has been prolific, but their four losses on the board hint at a slight wobble compared to their usual perfection, leaving them trailing Arsenal by two points.

Meanwhile, West Ham United are fighting for their Premier League lives, languishing in the relegation zone in 18th place on a meagre 13 points. The Hammers' form has been dreadful, with nine losses and three wins to their name and a -13 goal difference illustrating their struggle at both ends of the pitch.

Manchester City vs West Ham United Head-to-Head Timeline

This pair have met 123 times and is an almost ever-present Premier League fixture in the 21st century. City have dominated this tie historically, winning 66 times. The Hammers have won 38 times, and there have been 19 draws.

West Ham have beaten Manchester City twice in the Premier League since September 2009, their last win arriving over a decade ago in September 2015. The Citizens have beaten West Ham in six games straight and counting.

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

• January 2025: Manchester City 4-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
• August 2024: West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City (Premier League)
• May 2024: Manchester City 3-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
• September 2023: West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City (Premier League)
• May 2023: Manchester City 3-0 West Ham United (Premier League)

Recent Manchester City and West Ham United Matches Analysis

Manchester City Last 5 Matches:

• Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City (Premier League)
• Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City (Champions League)
• Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
• Fulham 4-5 Manchester City (Premier League)
• Manchester City 3-2 Leeds United (Premier League)

Manchester City have been virtually unstoppable across all fronts lately. Beyond their league exploits, they secured a crucial 2-1 win away at Real Madrid. With five straight wins in all competitions, including a dominant 3-0 result against Sunderland and that 5-4 epic against Fulham, they are the definition of in form.

West Ham United Last 5 Matches:

• West Ham United 2-3 Aston Villa (Premier League)
• Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
• Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
• West Ham United 0-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
• Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham United (Premier League)

West Ham have no European distractions to blame for their slump. Their last five have all been in the Premier League, where they’ve managed just three points from a possible fifteen. The 3-2 home loss to Villa was a stinging blow, and they travel to the Etihad having not tasted victory since late November.

Manchester City vs West Ham United Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with 66.7% confidence in both teams to score and 75% confidence in over 2.5 goals. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Manchester City vs West Ham United Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals & BTTS @ 2.00 - Our team of in-house betting tipsters have predicted plenty of goals in this fixture. The teams’ form and head-to-head record justify confidence in this selection.

Key Players to Watch: Manchester City vs West Ham United

Erling Haaland (Manchester City): It is impossible to look past Erling Haaland as the man to watch at the Etihad. The Norwegian "Terminator" is in blistering form, having already netted 26 goals across all competitions this season. Given West Ham’s defensive struggles and City's tendency to dominate possession at home, Haaland will likely be the focal point of every attack, looking to add to his tally against an 18th-placed Hammers side that has leaked goals throughout December.

Jarrod Bowen (West Ham): If the Hammers are to pull off a miracle in Manchester, captain Bowen will be at the heart of it. Despite the team's poor league position, Bowen remains their most potent threat, having already contributed 5 goals and one assist this Prem season. His work rate is unmatched, and he often acts as the primary outlet on the counter-attack. In a game where West Ham will likely have very little of the ball, Bowen’s ability to clinically finish a rare half-chance or deliver a pinpoint cross will be the visitors' best hope of an upset.

Manchester City vs West Ham United Match Facts

Broadcast Details: N/A due to UK 3 pm broadcast blackout.

Stadium Information: Originally constructed for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the Etihad Stadium was reconfigured and opened as the home of Manchester City in 2003. It is a major landmark situated in the Eastlands area of Manchester, England. Known for its large scale and modern facilities, the stadium currently holds a domestic football capacity of around 55,097, with the club having implemented several expansion projects since their move from Maine Road.

Referee: Paul Tierney (England)