Hammers eye cup glory

A second cup game this week and a considerably tougher opposition, which is always worrying when the first cup game of the week ended in a 5-0 defeat for the Hammers. However, the Capital One Cup semi-final contains two legs which gives us a chance to fail in one and still prevail, and come on, away at the Etihad isn’t that daunting is it?

In the Premier League so far this season, Manchester City have played 10 home games. They’ve won all 10. They have the joint best home defensive record, conceding just six inside those 10 games, and also far and away the best scoring record with a mouth-watering 38 goals. Gulp.

There is however a new defensive signing who will make his debut in the semi-final first leg. Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-half Roger Johnson has signed on a short-term loan until the end of the season from the League 1 high flyers. More of a making up the numbers signing rather than a permanent season changer. Manchester City are yet to delve into their packed pockets this January, but are going well enough for that not to be required.

City couldn’t dispatch of Blackburn Rovers in their FA Cup tie this weekend, despite fielding a starting eleven including, Fernandinho, Edin Dzeko, Alvaro Negredo and David Silva. They drew 1-1 with the Championship side at Ewood Park. However, it’s almost a completely different City side when they play on their own turf. In all competitions Manchester City are currently on a 13 match unbeaten run (W11D2)

In the only meeting of the two sides this season, City easily dispatched of the Hammers in a 3-1 away win at Upton Park. Sergio Aguero scored 2 in that meeting but is still out injured for Manchester City, so it will be down to Negredo and Dzeko to find the goals up top.

Team News

Both teams boast an impressive injury/suspension list. West Ham’s now notorious list includes, Reid, Vaz Te, Carroll, Tomkins, Noble, Collins and Nolan. Whilst City will be without Aguero, Navas, Jovetic, Guidetti, Richards, Rodwell and Boyata.

Andy Carroll and Ricardo Vaz Te are both now back in full training however neither are ready to make an appearance in this fixture. Roger Johnson will start at the back in a back four consisting of full-backs. Mark Noble may return from injury, a late fitness test will be required. Micah Richards and Stevan Jovetic are both recovering from injuries but this fixture will come too early for the pair. Martin Demichelis however will be available for selection for Manuel Pelligrini.

Likely Line-ups 

West Ham – Jaaskelainen – Demel Johnson O’Brien McCartney – Diarra Diame – Downing Morrison Taylor – Maiga

Manchester City – Pantilimon – Zabaleta Kompany Lescott Kolarov – Garcia Toure – Milner Nasri Navas – Dzeko

Prediction

Everyone, and I mean everyone, is expecting a comfortable Manchester City win. I cannot say any different, even if I would love to be proved wrong, it’s inevitably a City win, surely?

Manchester City 3-0 West Ham United