Previews

City focus on pitch matters

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 28/09/2009
Football betting

After two Premier League games where they have made the headlines for all the wrong reasons, Manchester City will be hoping to let their football do the talking against West Ham United on Monday evening.

City have overcome Arsenal and lost to neighbours Manchester United in successive weekends, but the combined fall-out from both of those high-profile encounters continues to be felt.

Emmanuel Adebayor is still suspended following the Football Association charge of violent conduct he was handed for kicking out at Arsenal striker Robin van Persie in a fiery meeting with his former club.

City won 4-2 but Adebayor deciding to run the full length of the pitch to celebrate scoring his goal in front of irate Arsenal fans provided a needless second flashpoint.

Then Craig Bellamy has been in the spotlight this week after clashing with a Manchester United fan following City's last-gasp 4-3 derby defeat at Old Trafford.

Bellamy's quality brace of goals in a thrilling derby has been overshadowed by the latest indiscretion in a controversial career, but the Wales striker has at least avoided an FA ban.

City boss Mark Hughes will be hoping Monday's visit of the Hammers goes off with less drama as he seeks to make the big-spending club into genuine challengers for a top-four place.

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Despite conceding four goals at Old Trafford and generally looking a shambles in defence, City have started the new season in impressive fashion.

They had won all four of their league games prior to last weekend with the £125million pool of talent recruited during the summer gelling with the existing squad in seamless fashion.

However, injury problems continue to hamper City with Robinho (ankle), Roque Santa Cruz (knee), Vincent Kompany (foot) and Benjani (hip) all set to miss out.

West Ham arrive in the north west looking to kick-start a slow start to the season which has garnered just one win from five games.

Gianfranco Zola's side have lost their last three games in all competitions and are currently languishing down in 16th place in the league table.

The Italian coach will be hoping the returns from injury of Matthew Upson, Valon Behrami, Danny Gabbidon, Luis Jimenez, Junior Stanislas on Monday night can help stop the rot.

Guillermo Franco could also be unleashed on the Premier League following the acquisition of the experienced Mexico striker on a free transfer last week.

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