West Ham v Man City: Back Citizens to triumph in east London
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It may be one of English football’s most impressive grounds, but London Stadium has not been a happy place for West Ham United since their summer move here – and visitors Manchester City look set to be the next opposition side to win there in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round.
The Citizens secured a deserved three points against Burnley in their last outing despite playing the majority of the game with 10 men. And that victory over the Clarets means they’ve now won four of their last five matches.
By contrast, the Hammers have won just three of their last dozen fixtures, with two of those triumphs coming against the Premier League’s bottom pair – Swansea City and Hull City.
They’re unlikely to improve that record against Pep Guardiola’s men, who have won nine of their 16 games on the road this season, including away-day demolitions of Stoke City (4-1) and West Bromwich Albion (4-0). Oh, and they’re the only visitors to get a victory at Old Trafford this season.
With the Hammers having averaged less than a goal per game in their last 10 outings at London Stadium, the 21/10 for City to win to nil looks like excellent value.
In the player markets, there looks to be value in backing Raheem Sterling to find the net. He’s done so six times this season, including twice against the Irons.
It’s 9/4 for the former Liverpool man to score anytime, while 7/1 says he goes down as the last goalscorer for the fourth time this term.
However, there could be a few nervy moments for fans of the Sky Blues – who rarely calm the nerves early on. Nine of their last 10 goals have come in the second half of games, so there could be tons of value in backing Half Time/Full Time: Draw/Man City at odds of 7/2.
In the match betting, our traders have unsurprisingly made the Citizens odds-on favourites at 13/20, with the Hammers 15/4 to win and a draw priced up at 3/1.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
