Fernandinho begins four match suspension, whilst Gabriel Jesus debut delayed
West Ham United vs Manchester City
Competition: F.A. Cup
Date: 7.55pm, Friday 6th January 2017
Venue: London Stadium, East London
Referee: Michael Oliver Assistants: S Child, C Hatzidakis Fourth Official: N Swarbrick
Odds: West Ham 4/1, Draw 3/1, City 4/6
Tickets: Sold out
TV: BBC One
West Ham United
Manager: Slaven Bilic
Squad (from): Randolph, Adrian, Spiegel, Reid, Cresswell, Collins, Ogbonna, Byram, Oxford, Kouyate, Obiang, Noble, Payet, Antonio, Carroll, Nordtvelt, Feghouli, Ayew, Calleri, Fletcher, Fernandes, Zaza
Injured: Sakho, Tore, Masuaku, Arbeloa
Doubtful: Collins, Oxford, Byram
Suspended: None
Form guide: LLWWW
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Bravo, Caballero, Gunn, Adarabioyo, Clichy, Kolarov, Otamendi, Sagna, Stones, Zabaleta, De Bruyne, Fernando, Garcia, Navas, Silva, Sterling, Toure, Aguero, Iheanacho, Nolito
Injured: Sane, Gundogan, Kompany, Delph
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Fernandinho
Form guide: WLWWW
Vincent Kompany has resumed training, but is not in contention for City's first visit to the London Stadium. Fabian Delph and Ilkay Gundogan remain sidelined, whilst Leroy Sane is a major doubt. Fernandinho serves the first game of a four match ban following his red card against Burnley, his third dismissal of the season.
Manager Pep Guardiola was widely criticised in the press for his tetchy interview following the win against Burnley, but made it clear that he was more than happy with his players:
“I was so happy for our victory, it was important. If we had dropped points against Burnley it would have made life difficult.
“Sometimes I’m so demanding and the players showed how special they are.
“Burnley are not an easy team, they are doing exceptionally, we’ve beaten them away and home - 10 v 11 and that’s why I’m so happy.”
Guardiola also stated that he was looking forward to his first F.A. Cup tie in England:
“We play West Ham away… they are a Premier League team, we are away, it’s tough. I want to continue in this competition.
“In the Bundesliga, the cup tradition is special. What I hear here is that the Cup is special because the low teams can beat the big teams - that’s why it’s fascinating.
“I’m looking forward to it. We were unlucky in the draw.”
City's last away game at West Ham ended in a 2-2 draw, with Sergio Aguero scoring both of City's goals. Overall City have won 49 of the 103 games played against West Ham, with 17 draws and 37 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Caballero, Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernando, Toure, Silva, De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguero
Score prediction: West Ham 2 City 2