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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 38
Manchester City v West Ham United
Etihad Stadium
Manchester, England
Sunday, 19 May 2024
Kick-off is at 17h00
Manchester City go into their crunch clash with West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, May 19, knowing that anything but a win could see them dethroned.
The defending champions are two points clear of Arsenal at the
Premier League summit with one match remaining in the season after beating Tottenham 2-0 in the capital on May 14.
An eighth straight win took Pep Guardiola's side above the Gunners, who kept their title hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford two days earlier.
The two teams have been neck-and-neck for the last month after Liverpool fell away and a draw for the Citizens might not be enough as they trail the North Londoners by one in goal difference.
The Hammers have secured ninth position and they can do no better as Manchester United pulled five points clear of them with a 3-2 triumph over Newcastle on May 15.
David Moyes will be looking to go out with a bang in his final game in charge of the East Londoners, who announced on May 6 that Julen Lopetegui will replace him for the 2024-25 campaign.
Suggested photo: Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City
In team news, Ederson (face) and Kevin De Bruyne (calf) are rated doubtful for the hosts after picking up knocks against Spurs. The visitors will hand late fitness tests to Konstantinos Mavropanos and Nayef Aguerd (ankle), but Kalvin Phillips (calf) will definitely not face his parent club.
Guardiola believes the West Ham encounter could stir up similar emotions to the season finale against Villa two years ago when City battled back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and pip Liverpool to the title by one point.
"Of course, it's a pleasure to give us a chance to defend against a contender like Arsenal," the Spaniard said. "We have experience for a short time what happened against Aston Villa, 70-plus minutes, 2-0 down.
"The most famous goal of our club, Sergio Aguero scored 93:20 against QPR, we were 1-2 down after 90 minutes more or less.
"Now it's against Michail Antonio and James Ward-Prowse, set-pieces and channels and think about it and focus perfectly. We have to win one more game to retain the title."
Suggested photo: James Ward-Prowse of West Ham
Moyes is proud to have raised expectations at the London Stadium since returning to the helm four and a half years ago, having delivered their first piece of silverware in 24 years with the Europa Conference League title in 2022-23.
"To join any football club and do something with them is not easy for any manager," the Scot said. "Hopefully I will walk away with people saying something has been done here.
"Expectations have increased like you can't believe. From a team which avoided relegation, now this is a club saying we want to be in Europe every year. It is a big turnaround in a few years."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man City wins - 4
West Ham wins - 0
Draws - 1
Premier League Matchday 38 fixtures:
Sunday, May 19
17h00: Arsenal v Everton
17h00: Brentford v Newcastle United
17h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United
17h00: Burnley v Nottingham Forest
17h00: Chelsea v Bournemouth
17h00: Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
17h00: Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
17h00: Luton Town v Fulham
17h00: Manchester City v West Ham United
17h00: Sheffield United v Tottenham Hotspur
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