West Ham United could face a Manchester City side in the Premier League this afternoon without Aymeric Laporte and Fernandinho with both players nursing injuries.
What’s the latest?
As quoted by City Xtra, City boss Pep Guardiola stated: “They are in treatment, two days. We will see tomorrow, which players can play on Sunday. Until the day of the game, we will not be able to decide.
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“I said many times we have to handle these absences. If it was many months a big problem but one or two games. We saw against Wolves, we get through.”
Laporte had to be withdrawn after colliding with Wolves striker Raul Jimenez as Guardiola’s men won 5-1 at Molineux on Wednesday evening whilst it appeared as though Fernandinho sustained a hamstring injury.
Hammers will be buzzing
Getting a result against Manchester City with the Premier League title on the line will be a very tall task for West Ham. However, their chances will certainly be improved slightly if Laporte and Fernandinho do not make the game.
Without Laporte, Nathan Ake will be the Citizens’ only fit centre-back which could cause Guardiola a major issue as his side look to all but secure their fourth Premier League title under the Spaniard.
With a victory in east London, City will go six points clear of Liverpool with one game to go with the Reds’ penultimate game of the league season coming on Tuesday night with a trip to Southampton.
However, the absences of Laporte and Fernandinho, who have made a combined 73 appearances this term will be a major boost for West Ham who still have targets of their own.
A win today would see David Moyes’ side leapfrog Manchester United into sixth place going into the final day, with a second consecutive top six finish still very possible.
Although unlikely, the Hammers could still finish outside of the European places with two defeats in their final games of the season if Wolves were to beat both Norwich City and Liverpool.
Moyes’ men were victorious against City when the North-West outfit made the trip to the London Stadium in October for the EFL Cup fourth round, losing on penalties following a 0-0 draw.
Therefore, the Irons can take confidence from their previous meeting at the London Stadium as well as potential injury woes in the defensive department for Manchester City.
AND in other news: Forget Lanzini: Moyes must now unleash “renowned” £49k-p/w West Ham hero vs MCFC…