There are 14 Premier League teams in action today
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City got back to winning ways in their last outing when they ran out 2-0 winners against Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester.
However, the reigning Premier League champions are still sitting in sixth, 14 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool and four points off the Champions League places.
As they host West Ham in the three o’clock kick-off they will be hoping to kick-start 2025 with a win.
Meanwhile, their London opposition are looking to bounce back after they were thrashed 5-0 by league leaders Liverpool in their last game. Julen Lopetegui’s position at the club has been precarious for some time as the Hammers sit 13th in the table but a result against City could help restore faith in their manager.
While Guardiola’s injury list has been the talk of the town in recent weeks, the Hammers are also in a pickle following the news that captain Jarrod Bowen suffered a broken foot in that game against Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
Lukasz Fabianski did not play against Liverpool due to the head injury he suffered during the win over Southampton on Boxing Day, with Alphonse Areola deputising. It is likely he will stick with Areola in goal.
However, the boss will be boosted by the return of Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez, who will return from their one-match suspensions.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur host Newcastle in the early kick-off. Newcastle have won four of their last five league games and are up in fifth while Spurs have failed to impress in the first half of the season.
They sit in 11th and have won just one of their last five league games.
In the 3pm kick-off’s Bournemouth host Everton while Aston Villa welcome 19th place Leicester Foxes who will be desperate to see their fortunes change in the New Year.
Crystal Palace who head into the gameweek in 15th face a tough test as they welcome fourth place Chelsea. Enzo Maresca’s side lost their last two league games over the festive period and will have a fire in their belly as they look to hold onto the Champions League places.
Brentford travel to Southampton before Brighton host Arsenal in the 5.30pm kick-off.
