Preview: Manchester City vs. West Ham United

Manchester City welcome West Ham United to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final tie.

The Blues have beaten Wigan Athletic, Newcastle United and Leicester City on their way to the last four of the competition, conceding just one goal in that time.

Meanwhile, West Ham have seen off Cheltenham Town, Cardiff City, Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur so far in this season's tournament.

The two teams have lifted the trophy twice each during their respective histories.

Man City are unbeaten in their last 14 games in all competitions, while the Hammers are winless in their previous five outings.

Sergio Aguero remains sidelined for the hosts, who are also without Martin Demichelis, Micah Richards and Stevan Jovetic.

James Collins, Ricardo Vaz Te, and Winston Reid are all missing for West Ham, while Mark Noble is a fresh injury concern with a calf problem.

Recent form

Man City: DWWWWW

West Ham: LDLLDL

Possible starting lineups

Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy; Nasri, Fernandinho, Toure, Navas; Negredo, Dzeko

West Ham: Jaaskelainen; Demel, McCartney, Rat, O'Brien; Diarra, Collison, Diame, Taylor, Cole; Maiga

Sports Mole says: 3-0