Last weekend, Manchester City suffered a 3-1 loss to Liverpool in the Community Shield. Even though the trophy itself is sort of symbolic – the defeat came as an alarm to Pep Guardiola who doesn’t need much to ‘straighten’ his squad up. Today’s visit to refreshed West Ham side should bring us both the reigning champions eager to shake off the loss in the English Super Cup as well as the Hammers stubbornly trying to continue being troublesome for the title contenders.The Cityzens know that, after the Reds managed to land the first blow, this could be another fascinating battle between the two best sides in English football this season. Guardiola’s side will again be title favorites this term, and they have boosted their squad with the arrivals of Erling Braut Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Stefan Ortega and Julian Alvarez.Sturdy Everton crack from the spot – Jorginho wins three points for the London BluesThe Citizens only actually played two pre-season fixtures, beating Club America 2-1 on July 20 before recording a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich three days later, and it will be fascinating to see whether that has an impact on their performances early in the campaign.Meanwhile, West Ham will again be bidding to be relevant in the discussion for a European finish come the end of the campaign. They finished seventh in the Premier League last season, in addition to making the fifth round of the FA Cup, quarter-finals of the EFL Cup and semi-finals of the Europa League during a strong campaign.Due to Manchester United’s struggles towards the end of the season, the Hammers will feel that they should have finished sixth but David Moyes’s side ultimately settled for seventh – a position in the playoff round of the Europa Conference League rather than a spot in the group stage of the Europa League.The club have been impressive in the transfer market this summer, bringing in Gianluca Scamacca, Nayef Aguerd, Flynn Downes, Maxwel Cornet and Alphonse Areola.The capital giants have also managed to crucially keep hold of Declan Rice, who was again excellent during the 2021-22 campaign, and a busy pre-season saw them play seven matches in total, including a goalless draw with Lens last weekend.🐝 WE’RE BACK! 🐝We return to @premierleague action! 🙌#ManCity pic.twitter.com/SIQdk0JHOg— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 7, 2022 As for the line-ups that should be expected at the London Stadium this afternoon, Man City are struggling with fitness in the backline. Aymeric Laporte is out until at least September following a knee injury, while John Stones is lacking match fitness, so Nathan Ake should again feature alongside Ruben Dias in the middle of defence.In the positions further forward, Guardiola has big decisions to make. Haaland is set to make his Premier League debut at centre-forward, while Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez are also likely to feature in the final third, which could leave Jack Grealish on the bench. Bernardo Silva is likely to start in midfield despite the speculation surrounding his future, while the likes of Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo, Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson and Rodri will also be in the side.As for the hosts, Moyes said during Friday’s press conference that patience would be needed when it comes to new signing Scamacca, who will not be considered for a start this weekend. Angelo Ogbonna is making excellent progress in his recovery from a long-term knee injury, but the experienced centre-back is also out, while new signing Aguerd is missing due to an ankle problem.As a result, the starting side is expected to have a familiar look to it, with Michail Antonio likely to lead the line, while Rice will captain the team from the middle of the park.Said Benrahma is likely to be given the nod on the left, with Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals also set to feature in the positions behind Antonio.Man City are unbeaten in their last 13 #PL meetings with West Ham (W10 D3)Only versus Fulham (14) are they currently enjoying a longer unbeaten run against sides in the top flight in 22/23#WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/ZAZ71AuDpf— Premier League (@premierleague) August 7, 2022 Earlier during the day, the red side of Manchester will be hoping for a resurrection.Erik ten Hag will be bidding to make the perfect start to his reign as Manchester United boss when the Red Devils welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Old Trafford.The Red Devils only picked up 58 points last term, which left them 13 points off the top four, which is an indication of the ground that needs to be made up in the coming season, especially with both Tottenham and Arsenal improving their squads with some impressive signings.Man United finished sixth in the table last season, some 13 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, while Brighton were ninth, picking up 51 points during an impressive campaign.Erik is #PL ready 🔥💬 “It’s [about] constructing a winning culture, and that starts in the week at Carrington, with high standards, good values and hard work.”#MUFC || #MUNBHA— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 7, 2022 The Seagulls were only five points behind seventh-place West Ham United last term, but such is the nature of the Premier League, the club have lost two key individuals during the summer transfer window, with Yves Bissouma moving to Tottenham Hotspur and Marc Cucurella to Chelsea.There have been additions, with Julio Enciso and Simon Adingra arriving, while Levi Colwill has made the switch on loan from Chelsea, but it will be difficult for Graham Potter’s side to challenge for a top-10 finish this term.Man United have only managed to make three signings this summer, bringing in Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez, while the speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future has dominated the last four weeks, making it an uncomfortable start to his reign for Ten Hag.Even bad Ronaldo is a good RonaldoThe 52-year-old will not be able to turn Man United into title challengers once again overnight, but the Dutchman will be expected to lead a top-four charge this season, with the team potentially challenging the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal for the positions behind Manchester City and Liverpool.Man United boss revealed during Friday’s press conference that Anthony Martial is out of the contest due to a hamstring problem, which could open the door for Ronaldo to start through the middle. A lack of minutes this summer are likely to count against the Portuguese, though, which could mean that Marcus Rashford moves central, with Anthony Elanga coming into the side in a wide position.Much could depend on whether Jadon Sancho overcomes an illness in time, as the England international has not been pictured in training this week and was not referenced by Ten Hag during his discussion with the media.Will the Theater of Dreams wake up from their nightmare in time?There could be a debut at the heart of the defence for Lisandro Martinez, while Malacia could get the nod over Luke Shaw at left-back, with the Englishman absent last weekend through illness.As for the visitors from the far south of England, Potter revealed during his pre-match press conference that he has a fully-fit squad aside from Jakub Moder, who is a long-term absentee with a knee injury. Leandro Trossard scored three times against Espanyol last time out and will also feature in an attacking area, with Danny Welbeck potentially leading the line against his former club.Cucurella’s departure could open the door for Solly March to play as the left-sided wing-back, while Alexis Mac Allister is set to start after shaking off a groin issue.See you soon, Albion fans. 👊 pic.twitter.com/vKxpdXUZw7— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 6, 2022 PREMIER LEAGUE – Matchday 1FridayCrystal Palace – Arsenal 0-2 (0-1)/Martinelli 20, Guehi 85 og/SaturdayFulham – Liverpool 2-2 (1-0)/Mitrovic 32, 72 pen – Nunez 64, Salah 80/Tottenham – Southampton 4-1 (2-1)/Sessegnon 21, Dier 31, Salisu 60 og, Kulusevski 63 – Ward-Prowse 12/Newcastle – Nottingham.Forest 2-0 (0-0)/Schar 58, Wilson 78/Leeds – Wolverhampton 2-1 (1-1)/Rodrigo 24, Ait Nouri 74 og – Podence 6/Bournemouth – Aston Villa 2-0 (1-0)/Lerma 3, Moore 81/Everton – Chelsea 0-1 (0-1)/Jorginho 45+9 pen/Sunday16.00: (2.05) Leicester (3.60) Brentford (3.80)16.00: (1.57) Man.Utd. (4.00) Brighton (7.00)18.30: (9.50) West Ham (5.50) Man.City (1.35)***odds are subject to change
