MX23RW : Monday, December 16 02:23:59| >> :120:11112:11112:
[monks data]
Manchester City logo
Premier League | Gameweek 28
May 3, 2023 at 8pm UK
Etihad Stadium
West Ham logo

Man City
3 - 0
West Ham

Ake (49'), Braut Haaland (70'), Foden (85')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Downes (49')

Man City's Pep Guardiola issues mixed injury update on Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Ake

Guardiola issues mixed injury update on De Bruyne, Ake
© Reuters
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola delivers a mixed injury update on Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake ahead of Wednesday's Premier League clash with West Ham United.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Nathan Ake will be available for Wednesday's Premier League clash at home against West Ham United, but Kevin De Bruyne is a doubt.

Ake has missed the last three matches in all competitions since pulling his hamstring in the Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie with Bayern Munich last month.

De Bruyne, meanwhile, was absent from the 2-1 Premier League victory away against Fulham on Sunday, with Guardiola citing that the playmaker had picked up an injury.

"He doesn't feel good. He has some injury and could not travel," Guardiola told Sky Sports before kickoff at Craven Cottage.

The severity of De Bruyne's injury is unknown, but Guardiola has revealed that the Belgian is yet to train with the first team, while Ake has trained and is fit to return to the matchday squad on Wednesday.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola talks to Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake on January 22, 2023© Reuters

Providing an injury update at a press conference on Tuesday, Guardiola said: "Nathan trained with us yesterday, he feels good. Kevin has started to move, but didn't train with the team. We have training in a few hours and we will see.

Guardiola has acknowledged that Ake will be in contention to face West Ham, but has suggested that De Bruyne will need assessing ahead of City's 4pm training session this afternoon.

Both Ake and De Bruyne have been standout performers for the Citizens this season, with the former in particular coming on leaps and bounds on the left side of Guardiola's back four.

Manuel Akanji has impressed as a makeshift left-back in Ake's absence, and he could continue in the first XI if the latter is not deemed fully fit to start against West Ham.

Meanwhile, Julian Alvarez starred as De Bruyne's replacement against Fulham, scoring a stunning goal from outside the area, and the Argentine World Cup winner will be hoping to retain his place in attack alongside goal machine Erling Braut Haaland.

Man City currently sit one point clear at the top of the Premier League table, but they could be tasked with climbing to the summit again if title rivals Arsenal beat Chelsea on Tuesday night.

 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured on April 26, 2023© Reuters

The treble-chasing Citizens are now preparing for a busy fixture schedule, with eight games coming up in the month of May, and Guardiola believes that his side have the experience to cope with the physical and mental demands.

Asked if he and his squad are tired, Guardiola said: "I'm tired, but it's not my legs! We've been in this situation of playing six or seven games in one month for six or seven years. The mental strength will be there, and this is the best period we want to be in. We are not tired. We have six games left and we have to go for it."

Guardiola has insisted that David Moyes's West Ham side - who remain embroiled in a relegation dogfight - can cause problems to his City side on Wednesday and has talked up the qualities of Hammers captain Declan Rice, who has been linked with a possible switch to the Etihad Stadium as well as other top Premier League clubs.

"[West Ham] have not had the season they expected but that does not mean the quality is not there," said the Catalan boss. "I've reviewed their games against Liverpool, Arsenal and the one against us earlier this season, and the quality is there.

"Declan Rice is an exceptional player. The quality is there in the team so we will have to be absolutely ready.

"Set pieces, they are maybe one of the best, scored three against Crystal Palace, [Michail] Antonio attacks the channels. The weapons are there. The team is there, I don't have any doubts. In one game, anything can happen so we have to be ready."

Man City are unbeaten in 14 Premier League meetings with West Ham and have won 11 times in the process, including a 2-0 victory at the London Stadium back in August on the opening day of the season.

ID:512877:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6342:
Written by
Oliver Thomas
No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Kevin De Bruyne

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Game History

How you voted: Man City vs West Ham

Manchester City
87.9%
Draw
6.5%
West Ham United
5.6%
214
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
West Ham United's Declan Rice celebrates scoring their third goal on April 20, 2023
Read Next:
Mikel Arteta 'confident of convincing Declan Rice to join Arsenal'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!