Preview
Sam Allardyce's side look to hammer another nail into City's woeful away form as Premier League action returns.
The cockney's recorded only their second win of the new campaign with a surprisingly stylish 3-0 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane a fortnight ago and Allardyce's army are hopeful of executing yet another giant on Saturday evening.
The arrival of Hammer's legend Carlton Cole isn't set to get any endorphins flowing, but it offers the Londoner's another option in a position where they have struggled so far this season.
Carlton Cole has rejoined his former club on a free transfer
At the other end of the country, Manchester City certainly can't be criticised for their goalscoring record. Between them, Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko have scored nine league goals - a record that means the blues boast the most impressive goal difference this so far this year.
However, it's City's arid away form that will concern Manuel Pellegrini after seeing his side pick up only one point from three Premier League outings this season. Upton Park isn't exactly renowned for its placid atmosphere and the Chilean must motivate his World Cup heroes ahead of a hostile reception in Hammersmith.
Upton Park is known for its hostile atmosphere.
Despite their coyness on the road this season, the blues will be buoyed by their recent record at Boleyn Ground. City have not lost on their last three visits to Hammersmith and haven't lost to West Ham since 2009. However, records have proven to mean nothing so far this year and Pellegrini must adopt a fiercer approach if his minions are to march home victorious on Saturday evening.
Yet another intimidating away fixture for the blues, but one they must win if we are to call ourselves genuine title contenders.
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Line-Up
Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis were expected to make a return to the side, but Manuel Pellegrini has ruled the defensive partnership out for Saturday's late kick off. They are expected to return against Chelsea on the 27th October.
Martin Demichelis is yet to make his Manchester City debut.
However, England duo Jack Rodwell and Micah Richards are available for selection despite the latter pranking City TV with a feigned hamstring injury in the week!
Key Players
Ravel Morrison
The ex-Manchester United youngster has always been at the centre of controversy, but he looks to have settled down at West Ham after making a promising start to the new season. The tricky midfielder tops the Hammers scoring charts and will be hopeful of upsetting his former rivals on Saturday night.
Alvaro Negredo
The Spaniard's physicality is perfect for this type of away game and after staking a huge claim for a starting place in Spain's XI for Brazil, 'The Beast's' confidence will be brimming. Negredo can't stop scoring at the moment and he'll be hoping that another goal on Saturday will make the starting place his.
