Pep Guardiola. — Reuters
MANCHESTER City boss Pep Guardiola would like nothing more than to start 2025 off with a victory.
The defending champions of the English Premier League endured their worst run of form under the Spaniard and only won for a second time in 14 matches across all competitions to close out 2024.
Today West Ham visit the Etihad, and were it not for that horrendous spell, one would expect City to easily beat them.
But that’s far from the case now, and the Hammers will believe that they can take something away from their visit – and who would blame them?
Still, Guardiola’s side will be the favourites to win this one.
There is too much pedigree in the Citizens’ squad for them to get written off so early. There is a good chance that City will carve out a handsome win.
The opposition, which means the rest of the league too, shouldn’t make light of the City squad wanting to show them a thing or two after that terrible run of poor form.
And if we have learned anything from Guardiola’s sides over the last nine seasons, it is that they can hurt you if you let your guard down.
That’s something the Hammers might want to remind themselves about when they make their journey up north to Etihad Stadium.
