The reigning Premier League champions Manchester City begin their defence of their title with a visit to West Ham. Opta presents the vital statistics.
The reigning Premier League champions have only lost their opening match of the next league season on two previous occasions: Leicester City in 2016-17 (1-2 away at Hull City) and Chelsea in 2017-18 (2-3 at home to Burnley). West Ham are [13.5] to pull off a huge shock.
Manchester City have won their last seven competitive matches against West Ham United by an aggregate score of 23-3. They are just [1.27] to win.
Manchester City have won more competitive games at the London Stadium against West Ham than any other away team (4). You can back them at [1.83] to win half-time/full-time.
Manchester City have scored 17 goals against West Ham at the London Stadium; eight more goals than any other opposition side away at the Hammers in this ground. A Manchester City win and over 2.5 goals is [1.67].
For the sixth consecutive campaign, West Ham are kicking off their Premier League season against one of the ‘big six’ sides, with Man City being the sixth different side they’ve faced in that time. The Hammers have lost four of their previous five, with the exception being a 2-0 win at Arsenal in 2015-16. The draw half-time/Manchester City full-time double result is [4.5].
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 10 opening Premier League fixtures (W9 D1), winning each of the last eight. Victory here will see them equal Chelsea’s Premier League record of nine successive opening day wins between 2002-03 and 2010-11. Manchester City are [2.12] to win to nil.
West Ham United have won three of their last five home matches against reigning Premier League champions (L2). The Hammers are [11.5] in the Draw No Bet market.
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero has scored six goals on MD1 of previous Premier League seasons; more than any player still playing in the Premier League. The only players with more MD1 goals in Premier League history are Wayne Rooney (8), Alan Shearer (8), Frank Lampard (8) and Teddy Sheringham (7). Aguero is [1.95] to score.
West Ham striker Javier Hernandez has faced Manchester City six times in the Premier League without scoring – against no side has he played more without finding the net (also six vs Arsenal). Hernandez is [5.0] to break his duck.
Manchester City’s David Silva has scored in four of his last five games against West Ham in all competitions, including in all three of his appearances at the London Stadium. He’s scored more goals against the Hammers for Man City than he has any other side (six, including five in the Premier League). Silva is [4.3] to find the net.
Source: Betfair Premier League
