Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has predicted that West Ham United will come away empty handed when they host Manchester City at the London Stadium on Saturday.
The Hammers no doubt want to return to winning ways after recording a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield before the international break, but Merson believes that City will secure a 3-1 victory to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
However, the pundit has pinpointed Irons’ striker Marko Arnautovic as the player who can heap some hurt on Pep Guardiola’s side this weekend – but said that a single was “all [he] could give them” in a 3-1 prediction.
“I can’t see anything other than a City win and I can’t see anybody outside the top six beating City either this season,” he told Sky Sports.
“They are a million miles above the others and even if they had to chase a game with 15 minutes to go, they can bring on three internationals, so they will at least get a draw.
“I think West Ham will score as Marko Arnautovic will cause problems against City’s centre halves, no doubt about that, but that is about all I can give them if I’m being honest.”
OPINION
West Ham have no doubt got a tough test here in the shape of City, so it is hard not to agree with Merson here. The Hammers are simply not strong enough to overcome the likes of City, no matter how much they spent on players in the summer. However, Arnautovic will cause them problems, just as Merson pointed out. The ace’s height and strength will allow him to bully and cause problems for City’s centre-halves, so West Ham fans can at least take one positive away from this game. But, they are at home – so they have a lot more advantage than if they were playing City at the Etihad. The likes of Wolves have held them to a 1-1 draw when playing them at home, so there is no reason why the Irons cannot repeat the same thing on Saturday – but they must be at their best.
