Manchester City fans are currently questioning their new manager as he continues to make a spectacle of club stalwart Joe Hart. Pep Guardiola made the decision to include the England international in the Champion’s League game against Steaua but it looks as though his days are numbered as Claudio Bravo arrived on Thursday afternoon.

West Ham have no such issues as their squad has been assembled and Slaven Bilic has the Hammers faithful eating from the palm of his hand. The Croatian has amassed a huge following since his appointment and his players visibly work for him – if only Man City were so lucky, sadly it isn’t the case at the Etihad.

Guardiola will soon incur the wrath of the City faithful if he continues to cut their favourites down to a size he feels he can manage. His treatment of Joe Hart is only the beginning of Guardiola’s power trip as he continues to lavish praise on Sergio Aguero and ignores the effort put in by his other squad players – careful Pep, it could all turn sour very quickly.

West Ham may be coming into the game off the back of a painful defeat in the Europa League that sees them out of the competition at the first hurdle but Bilic has assured the Hammers fans that his side will pick themselves up and attack Man City – they have been rather ordinary thus far in the campaign but you do feel they will move into the next gear against City.

City have, of course, been drawn in the same group as Barcelona in the Champion’s League – a worrying draw at the best of times, but with Guardiola at the helm it could be a monumental task. With this in mind, Pep will no doubt have his gaze fixed on the Premier League and won’t tolerate defeat despite City’s iffy record against West Ham.

City have only won one of their last four league games against West Ham and the Hammers claimed victory at the Etihad last season 2-1. It had been some time since West Ham had beaten City at home – nearly thirteen years in fact; and Bilic will be keen to repeat the act to see his side move into the top half for the first time since the opening day.

SkyBet aren’t keen on the idea of West Ham claiming a win away at City as Man City are 2/7 to win, a draw is 19/4 and West Ham victory is 9/1. Such long odds on the away side are very rare, has the Guardiola effect gotten to the bookies? It would seem so, only a fool would write off West Ham in this game.

As usual, the threat of Dimitri Payet from set pieces is a featured bet with ourselves but the odds are simply growing larger as Dimitri Payet to score from outside the box is now 12/1. Granted, the Frenchman hasn’t been in his best form since returning from Euro 2016 but a fortnight of training will see him back to match fitness and if West Ham are going to score; you would look at Payet before anyone else.

The pick of the betting is, without doubt, Sergio Aguero to score a brace at 11/4 – the odds might be slim but for something virtually nailed on to happen, you can’t really complain at returns of just under three times.