Man City v West Ham preview

Groundhog Day for two sides at Eastlands

Last updated: 18th January 2008

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Elano: Celebrates midweek winner

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com's prediction: 1-0

SKY BET odds: City 10/11, Draw 9/4, West Ham 3/1

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Sven Goran Eriksson and Alan Curbishley could both be forgiven for waking up on Sunday morning feeling a little like Bill Murray, such is the pervading sense of Groundhog Day that surrounds fixtures between Manchester City and West Ham United.

This weekend's action brings together the two sides for the third time in 15 days, and for the fourth time this season, in a game that can be seen live on Sky Sports 1.

In midweek Elano's brave header separated the two clubs and ensured City's progression in the FA Cup and defending an unbeaten home record, Eriksson will be demanding more of the same at Eastlands.

Team news

Nery Castillo picked up a shoulder injury on Wednesday so his low-key introduction to English football will temporarily be put on hold, while Emile Mpenza's hamstring complaint will almost certainly prohibit his involvement.

Michael Johnson remains a long-term absentee with an abdominal problem, as does Valeri Bojinov - whose knee injury remains an ongoing concern.

This season's corresponding fixture saw City kick-off Eriksson's tenure in some style as they won 2-0 at Upton Park and with this in mind, Curbishley will be demanding his players exact a revenge mission on their travels.

West Ham are certainly in the right form to inflict a defeat on City, with six wins and four draws from their past 12 league fixtures testimony to impressive exertions of late.

Julien Faubert's bright cameo appearance off the bench in midweek sees him come into contention to start, while Lee Bowyer and Luis Boa Morte must wait to learn whether their cup efforts were enough to keep Hayden Mullins and Carlton Cole out of Curbishley's first XI.

Danny Gabbidon and James Collins are both fit and pressing for opportunities at the back, while at the other end of the field, Bobby Zamora and Craig Bellamy are back in training but some way short of match fitness.