Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho. (Photo : Reuters)
Manchester City (5-0-0, 15 points) is looking good this early in the season and they look to sustain their five-game winning streak against West Ham United (3-2-0, 9 points) as they target nothing else but the league crown this season.
The Citizens played without Raheem Sterling in their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last week as the 20-year-old nurses a hamstring strain. Sterling is still doubtful to start in this game against West Ham, but it seems to be no problem for Manuel Pellegrini's squad. Midfielder David Silva is also doubtful with a sprained ankle.
Perhaps starting in Sterling's place is another huge signee, Kevin De Bruyne, who debuted for City coming off the bench in the Crystal Palace game.
The 24-year-old Belgian relentlessly pressured the opponents upon his entry at the 25th-minute after striker Sergio Agüero went down with a minor injury.
But the real hero of the game was Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho who provided the lone goal late in the match, via The Independent.
Meanwhile, West Ham is coming off an impressive 2-0 victory against Newcastle United on Tuesday, as reported by Chronicle Live.
Slaven Bilić will try to bring the momentum of that win against the hottest team in the league right now, but it seems like it would be to no avail.
On paper, Pellegrini's crew has more talent and depth in all positions overall and the game is expected to be another rout for City even if Sterling and Silva, and possibly Agüero, are sidelined.
The prediction is a 3-0 victory for Manchester City.
Manchester City starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Hart; Kompany, Sagna, Kolarov, Mangala; Navas, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Touré; Agüero, Bony
West Ham United starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Randolph; Ogbonna, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell; Payet, Moses; Kouyaté, Noble, Lanzini; Sakho
