EPL Matchweek 1 betting picks – West Ham vs Manchester City

West Ham United	+1100 at William Hill	Place Bet
Draw	+600 at William Hill	Place Bet
Manchester City	-400 at William Hill	Place Bet

Manchester City will begin their defence of the English Premier League title with a trip to London to face West Ham United.

It already looks to be a promising season for City, who began the campaign on a winning start by lifting the FA Community Shield last Sunday. Having won the domestic quadruple last season, the champions faced league runners-up Liverpool for the season’s curtain raiser and won 5-4 on post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Despite completing a clean sweep of all domestic honours last season, the UEFA Champions League title continues to elude for City. That could explain the opulent spending by the club this summer – some £127.8 million on three acquisitions on top of the already frightening assembly of players at their disposal.

Spanish midfielder Rodri joined from Atletico Madrid for a whooping £62.6 million, while defender Angelino returned to his former club for £5.3 million having spent last season with PSV Eindhoven. The club also recently paid £60 million to have right-back Joao Cancelo join from Juventus, with Danilo heading to Turin for £34.1 million.

SEE ALSO: MANCHESTER UNITED VS CHELSEA PREVIEW

Having finished last term in 10th place on 52 points, a distant 46 points behind the champions, coach Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping that West Ham United chase for a European place this time round after a hefty outlay in the transfer window.

The Hammers signed striker Sebastian Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt for a club record of £45 million and splashed another £24 million to secure the transfer of midfielder Pablo Fornals from Villarreal.

Goalkeepers Roberto and David Martin also joined the club on free transfers from Espanyol and Millwall respectively, with the experienced shot stoppers set to compete with Lukasz Fabianski for a place between the sticks.

Albian Ajeti became West Ham’s sixth signing of the transfer window, with the Swiss striker joining from FC Basel for a reported £8 million.

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West Ham United team news

Lukasz Fabianski, who was sidelined for West Ham’s last two pre-season matches, could be fit for selection.

If the Polish keeper isn’t quite right, the Hammers could hand a debut to either David Martin or Roberto.

Less promising is the news for skipper Mark Noble, who is ruled out as he continues with his recovery from a leg injury.

Manchester City team news

Pep Guardiola has a lengthy injury list ahead of EPL Matchweek 1.

Left-back Benjamin Mendy is sidelined with a stubborn knee injury, while Fernandinho will have to pass a late fitness test for his own knee problem.

Leroy Sane is a major doubt for Saturday’s trip to London after picking up a knee injury during the Community Shield; as is Aymeric Laporte who picked up a knock towards the end of pre-season.

Raheem Sterling goalscorer odds

• Sterling to score first goal – +300 at Bovada
• Sterling to score anytime/City win – -120.48 at Bovada

Raheem Sterling played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s successful pursuit of the quadruple last season. The Three Lions forward scored 25 goals in all competitions and was a deserving winner of the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

In the absence of last season’s top scorer Sergio Aguero, who was an unused sub in the Community Shield and may be lacking form and fitness after the Copa America, Sterling only needed 12 minutes playing upfront as the false number nine to score against Liverpool.

Although he missed two glorious chances awarded to him by David Silva and Kyle Walker, Sterling will be beaming with confidence having already opened his goalscoring account for the season.

West Ham vs Man City betting predictions

With one piece of silverware already in their trophy cabinet and a squad further strengthened from the one that completed the quadruple last season, Manchester City look unstoppable. Their win over the Hammers will be as routine as it has been for the last four years.

Prediction: Man City to win first half/Man City to win second half – +150 at Bovada

West Ham United vs Manchester City recent results

Man City 1-0 West Ham (February 27, 2019)
Sergio Aguero 59’ (P)

West Ham 0-4 Man City (November 24, 2018)
David Silva 11’
Raheem Sterling 19’
Leroy Sane 34’, 90+3’

West Ham 1-4 Man City (April 29, 2018)
Aaron Cresswell 42’
Leroy Sane 13’
Pablo Zabaleta 27’ (OG)
Gabriel 53’
Fernandinho 64’

Man City 2-1 West Ham (December 3, 2017)
Nicolas Otamendi 57’
David Silva 83’
Angelo Ogbonna 44’

West Ham 0-4 Man City (February 1, 2017)
Kevin de Bruyne 17’
David Silva 21’
Gabriel 39’
Yaya Toure67’ (P)