MANCHESTER CITY stand on the brink of history and the bookies make them hot favourites to beat West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium to seal a fourth successive Premier League title.
Arsenal have pushed the champions all the way but Pep Guardiola's men have put the foot down once more heading down the home straight and one more victory will be enough to finish the job.
The Gunners can take heart from the fact City have previous for final-day jitters at the Etihad, needing epic comebacks against QPR and Aston Villa to clinch the title in 2012 and 2022.
But it would be surprise if the Hammers acted as party poopers, even though David Moyes will be looking to bow out by masterminding a shock win in his final game at the helm.
How the bookies view it: Break open the champagne
The bookies are banking on a Manchester City title party as Bet365 price Guardiola's side at just 1/12. West Ham United are as big as 20/1 and the draw pays 11/1.
Recent head to head: An 18-certificate Hammers horror
West Ham United have a terrible record in this fixture, with their only victory in the last 18 meetings coming on penalties in a League Cup tie three years ago. Guardiola's side have won their last three games against the Hammers, including a 3-0 stroll at the Etihad last term.
Players to watch: City can Phil their boots
Slips Tips tipped Phil Foden for a goal against Spurs in midweek and must have been frustrated when a stunning save denied the winger. City's player of the season should get a few more chances in this one and he's 11/10 for anytime scorer.
James Ward-Prowse scored for the Hammers against Luton last time out to help a goals bet land for me. But he's more likely for an assist today as West Ham's biggest threat will come from set-pieces. He's 8/1 to set a goal up which looks a bit overpriced.
Probable line-ups
Kevin De Bruyne is a doubt for Manchester City while keeper Ederson misses out with an eye injury. West Ham remain without Nayef Aguerd, Kalvin Phillips and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Manchester City: Ortega; Akanji, Dias, Walker, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, Doku, Foden; Haaland
West Ham: Areola, Zouma, Coufal, Ogbonna, Emerson, Paqueta, Kudus, Ward-Prowse, Bowen, Soucek, Antonio.
Anything else catch the eye?
Manchester City should dominate possession and they won 11-4 on the corner count away to West Ham earlier in the season. That makes over 10 match corners decent value at 5/4 with Bet365 while over 7.5 City corners pays 4/5.
With the Hammers likely to sit in, Manchester City might be tempted to have a few shots from distance. Midfielder Mateo Kovacic is 2/1 for a shot on target while the same bet pays 11/10 for Bernardo Silva.
West Ham could be a threat on the break and have some pacy forwards who could test Guardiola's defence. City stopper Manuel Akanji is 11/10 just to commit a foul and that looks good.
This English Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United will be played on May 19, 2024 and kick off at 16:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester City vs West Ham United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
