"I expect them to get the job done" - Chris Sutton makes prediction for Manchester City vs West Ham United

Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has made his prediction for Manchester City's Premier League home game with West Ham United on Saturday (January 4). The Cityzens are coming off a win in their previous league outing.

Pep Guardiola's struggling holders snapped a five-game winless streak across competitions with a 2-0 league win at reigning Championship winners Leicester City at the weekend in their last game of the year.

Meanwhile, the Hammers are coming off a 5-0 hammering at home to Liverpool in their previous outing. Sutton predicts them to have their task cut out against the Cityzens, especially without the injured Jarrod Bowen. He wrote in his prediction column for the BBC:

"Jarrod Bowen's injury is a huge blow for West Ham because he has been their best player this season. I thought the Hammers' displays were picking up, but then they got absolutely demolished by Liverpool.

"So, this feels like a good time for Manchester City to play them as they look to build on their win at Leicester. That was not a particularly pretty performance but that part does not matter for Pep Guardiola's side at the moment."

He continued:

"It is all about taking small steps for City as they try to find some form again, so it was important for them to see Erling Haaland back on the scoresheet against the Foxes, and to keep their first clean sheet in five games.

"This game might be a similar story in that City will have to scrap a bit, but again I expect them to get the job done."

Pep Guardiola's holders are sixth in the standings after 19 games, trailing runaway leaders Liverpool (45) by a whopping 14 points, having played a game more.

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Manchester City vs West Ham United: A few tidbits

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola

Manchester City have a dominant recent head-to-head record against West Ham United, especially in the Premier League at home, winning 14 of 15 matches, including the last eight.

In fact, the Hammers haven't beaten City in 18 league games, their longest winless run in the league against any team (also against Liverpool between 1983 and 1994).

Moreover, West Ham haven't kept a clean sheet in 24 league games with City, but the Cityzens have won just twice in their last 14 outings across competitions. However, the Cityzens have won their last 12 Premier League games to begin a year, and the trend could continue.