MATCH INFO
Date/Time: Friday, January 6, 2017, 7:55pm BST (UK), 2:55pm ET, 11:55am PT (US), 1:25am IST (India, Saturday)
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Venue: London Stadium, London, England
Referee: Michael Oliver
For the first time ever, the London Stadium will welcome Manchester City for a match against West Ham United. The two teams will meet in the most high-profile game in the third round of the FA Cup.
The Hammers’ new home hasn’t been as big of a home-field advantage for them as the legendary Boleyn Ground once was. A trip there was the least favorite for any team in the Premier League, and West Ham were always great at home. Since moving to the Olympic Stadium, though, it’s safe to say the bubbles have moved there, but the air of invincibility is yet to arrive.
West Ham just lost to Manchester United earlier this week, and welcome the other Manchester club to their home. This is the FA Cup, though, and anything can happen. Cup games are always special, the when it’s the oldest football competition EVER, it’s even more special.
London Stadium will be rocking. Get ready, City. This will be fun
TEAM NEWS
Man City: Pep Guardiola lost Fernandinho to a four-game ban on Monday’s win against Burnley, but might welcome back Fabian Delph and Leroy Sané to the squad. The two will go through a late fitness test before the trip to London, and we might see both making the bench. Vincent Kompany is back in training, according to Guardiola, but is still not ready to return. Gabriel Jesus is already part of the squad and is training hard, but his debut won’t be on Friday.
Pep said he won’t rotate in this game, which means the youngsters aren’t likely to play, with the only possible change from the strongest possible side being Willy Caballero, the usual Cup goalkeeper, in place of Claudio Bravo. Other than that, expect all of the big names looking to play better than we’ve seen in recent weeks.
West Ham: Slaven Bilic has dealt with injuries all season long, and eight of his players are either out or likely to miss out against City. Add to the list of absences midfielder Cheikhou Kouyaté, out to represent Senegal in the African Cup of Nations. There are good news for Bilic, though: Sofiane Feghouli had his ridiculous red card against United rescinded by the FA, and will be available to start against the Sky Blues. Dimitri Payet may be rested, but the Frenchman wants to play and will probably start and try to score some free kicks on Bravo/Willy. Look out.
Possible starting lineups
West Ham: Adrian; Cresswell, Ogbonna, Reid, Antonio; Noble, Obiang; Ayew, Lanzini, Feghouli; Carroll
Man City: Caballero; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Clichy; Fernando; Sterling, Toure, Garcia, Nolito; Aguero
PREDICTION
Anything can happen in a Cup game, regardless of form or talent. But City will advance to the fourth round: 3-1 to the visitors.
