West Ham United Vs. Manchester City [R]

[MVF]

http://www.casinos.uk.com/images/club_westham.gif

Vs

http://www.gettingmanchestermoving.org/gmm/gmm-images/logos/mcfc-logo-large.jpg

@ Upton Park
Saturday, 11 August
Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day.
This will be a featured match on Saturday's Score - 1430 BST on BBCi and bbc.co.uk/score

BIG-MATCH FACTS

Sven-Goran Eriksson makes his bow as a Premier League manager, while opposite number Alan Curbishley begins his first full season with West Ham.

The Hammers ended last season with seven wins in nine matches, and escaped relegation by three points.

Manchester City have only won their opening fixture in one of 10 Premier League seasons.

Key Player Notes
MANCHESTER CITY

Richard DUNNE was one of four outfield players to have been involved in every minute of every one of his clubs' Premier League matches last season. The others were Ivar Ingimarsson (Reading), Phil Jagielka (Sheffield United, now Everton) and Yobo (Everton).

Bernardo CORRADI was one of three players to be sent off twice in last season's Premier League. The others were George BOATENG (Middlesbrough) and Phillippe SENDEROS (Arsenal).

Manchester City fielded the youngest player in the Premier League last season in Daniel STURRIDGE, who was 17 years 155 days old, when he came on as a substitute in the 0-2 home defeat by Reading on 3 February.


WEST HAM UNITED

Bobby ZAMORA was West Ham's leading scorer last season with 11 goals - all in the Premier League.

Dean ASHTON needs a double to bring his career total of club goals to 100.

If he plays:-

Lucas NEILL will be making his 200th career Premier League appearance (Blackburn and West Ham).

Matthew ETHERINGTON will be participating three days before his 26th birthday.

HEAD TO HEAD

West Ham did not score against Manchester City last season and were doubled by them.

There's little to choose in the Premier League standings between these clubs with six wins a piece.

Home and away
League (inc PL): West Ham 32 wins, Man City 35, Draws 11
Prem: West Ham 6 wins, Man City 6, Draws 2

at West Ham only
League (inc PL): West Ham 23 wins, Man City 9, Draws 7
Prem: West Ham 5 wins, Man City 1, Draws 1
-------------------------------------------------------

What are people thinking will be the ins/outs for the match? Tactics? End Result?

[MVF]

Not to double post, But to splay my thoughts upon the web page.

I think this is how we will line up.

--------------Hart/Kasper---------------------
---Richards----Onuoha----Dunne----Corluka---
----------------------------------------------
----------------Fernandes/Johnsen------------
---Elano--------------------------Petrov------
---------------Geo/Ireland--------------------
-------Bojinov-------------Bianchi------------


And predicting a 2-1 win for us away from home to mark Sven's first Prem game.

[CityBlues]

One more day. The anticipation is killing me.

[Rasthedoctor]

Likewise. My boss is a West Ham fan and he's been giving me no end of grief for the past month now. 8:55AM can't come soon enough!

[gdub171]

Isn't Bojinov Left-footed and would play the LS role?

Just a thought.

[TheNameOfTheG..]

Not to double post, But to splay my thoughts upon the web page.

I think this is how we will line up.

--------------Hart/Kasper---------------------
---Richards----Onuoha----Dunne----Corluka---
----------------------------------------------
----------------Fernandes/Johnsen------------
---Elano--------------------------Petrov------
---------------Geo/Ireland--------------------
-------Bojinov-------------Bianchi------------


And predicting a 2-1 win for us away from home to mark Sven's first Prem game.


Charlie is not LB, he can plays as RB or CB.

BTW is he fit for the game, he had a wee injury few weeks ago?

[CityBlues]

I hear they are wearing the third kit tomorrow?

[Alan D]

Nice one Marc! Keep up the good work! It would be class if we started each match thread off with an intro like that.


Charlie is not LB, he can plays as RB or CB.

BTW is he fit for the game, he had a wee injury few weeks ago?

Corluka and Bojinov won't take any part in the game because they haven't received international clearance in time for the weekends' player registration but they have received work permits and will be available for Wednesday's game against Derby. A bit of a blow but not the end of the world, so its likely Sven will go with a 4-5-1 formation to add a bit of 'bite' to midfield. In a 4-4-2 the current players are lacking the bite so thats why a 4-5-1 is more likely with Bianchi as the lone striker. I'm guessing Sven will want to sign Bresciano as soon as possible because hes been identified as the player we need in the centre of midfield so we can play Sven's preferred 4-4-2. The team will be this, I think:

----------------------Hart--------------------
---Richards----Onuoha----Dunne-----Garrido---
----------------------------------------------
-------------Hamann------Johnson------------
---Elano-----------------------------Petrov---
---------------Geo/Ireland--------------------
-----------------Bianchi-----------------------

Mpenza is out injured but will be back in training within days, Ball is suspended for two matches and even Elano might be a doubt because he is not match fit at the minute. If Elano doesn't play then it would be this probably:

----------------------Hart--------------------
---Richards----Onuoha----Dunne-----Garrido---
----------------------------------------------
-------------Hamann------Johnson------------
---Geovanni--------------------------Petrov---
-------------------Ireland---------------------
-------------------Bianchi---------------------

Schmeichel might play in goal instead of Hart and Fernandes could play instead of Hamann, but I think Sven will go with experience in that position for the first game of the season and Fernandes and Johnson together could be too inexperienced.

And yes the third kit will be worn tomorrow!

[MVF]

Ahh.

I must of got Garrido & Corluka mixed up.

Crap.. Bojinov & Corluka to miss is a big out .. Will Garrido make it ?

[Bluechester]

Only hours to go I can't wait I'm getting excited:D:D:D

[MVF]

30 minutes away from kick off.

Can't decide whether to wait up .. or listen to the radio in hope of scores. I need my sleep .. but i want to listen ... :s

[Alan D]

BIANCHI!!!!!!! 1-0!!!!!

Forget what I said before, Bojinov and Corluka got international clearance today so they can actually play. Corluka is at RB and Boj is on the bench and we're playing in a 4-5-1 formation. Elano is having an amazing match!

[Manchester City]

Either we have become a juggernaut or West Ham is back to giggy level, because we are dominating the field.

Elano is looking to be worth every penny, Corluka is playing inspired defense, and Bianchi seems to be drawing enough attention to give Petrov a couple of opportunities (the last of which should have really gone in).

Hell, I am even happy with Ireland's decision making, which, for those who know me, is something I have to cough out.

[Manchester City]

Alright, I take back what I said about Ireland.

[Manchester City]

So, aside from Bianchi's masterful stab (I certainly hope this is the start of a long line of goals that will prove my doubts completely wrong), the first half could be described mainly with "Petrov shoots... Ahh, very close, but missed [insert specific area around goal here]."

[Manchester City]

Save Ireland's cut, none of the cards shown today were really warranted in my opinion.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Congratulation City!!!

I was one of the soccer fans that doubted Sven and his strategy of bringing in a ton of non Prem tested players. But you guys played some inspired soccer today. Fun to watch the passing and moving from your forwards and midfielders like Petrov and Elano. Well taken goals plus a good defensive performance. I expect this same thing when you play the scum. Good luck on the upcoming season, that is except when you play Liverpool. Again, Congratulations on the good start.

[SIR-T]

Manchester city look like a class act.

Top 10 easy, maybe to challenge tottenham for 5th:D

[FNU]

Congrats. Hope Bianchi lights up the Premiership for you guys. Not a bad start huh? :)

[thejuggernaut]

That's a nice. All sven's new army looked much better then what we saw last year.