Capital One Cup: Manchester City v West Ham match preview

West Ham will be looking to recover from a turbulent period as they travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final. After being knocked out of the FA Cup in an embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend, Sam Allardyce’s team could redeem themselves with a win away to City this week.

After being given a vote of confidence by West Ham co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan on Monday, Allardyce will hope to show fans as well as ownership why he is the man to lead West Ham. The Hammers face a side with a home record formidable enough to intimidate any team, as City have only lost once this season at the Etihad - and that was to champions of Europe, Bayern Munich.

Manuel Pellegrini leads a side that are clear favourites going into this fixture. City currently sit just one point behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and they haven’t lost a match since the second week of November in 2013.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

West Ham 1 (Vaz Te) Manchester City 3 (Aguero (2), Silva), Premier League, October 2013

Manchester City 2 (Aguero, Toure) West Ham 1 (Carroll), Premier League, April 2013

West Ham 0 Manchester City 0, Premier League, November 2012

STATS:

Manchester City have not been defeated at the Etihad since 2nd October 2013, in a 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich. That was the only game this season they haven’t won at home.

West Ham have won 7 games in all competitions this season. By contrast, Man City have won 3 times that many.

Man City have a goal difference of 51 in all competitions this season.

West Ham have lost 5 out of their last 6 away matches. Their only win during this period was their come from behind victory against Tottenham in the Capital One Cup that set up the Semi Final Tie with Man City

ODDS:

Man City to win: 1.12

West Ham to win: 17.0

Draw: 7.0

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 7.45pm, highlights on BBC 1 at 11.15pm