Manchester City are sweating on the fitness of Bernardo Silva ahead of Saturday’s trip to West Ham. The Portuguese midfielder was sent back to his club after picking up an injury on international duty.
The 24-year-old played the full 90 minutes against Italy last week but was deemed unfit to face Poland in the Nations League game on Tuesday evening.
With Silva facing a battle to be fit to face the Hammers, the midfielder could be replaced by Ilkay Gundogan in the starting line up. The German made two substitute appearances prior to the international break after recovering from a hamstring injury.
City are still without Kevin De Bruyne (knee) and Claudio Bravo (Achilles), with Benjamin Mendy out until the New Year following knee surgery. Nicolas Otamendi is also a doubt after withdrawing from the Argentina squad with an injury to his right Achilles.
For West Ham, Andy Carroll is back in contention after recovering from an ankle injury. The striker has not played so far this season. Reports suggest that Jack Wilshere could also return to the matchday squad on Saturday. The former Arsenal midfielder hasn’t played for the Hammers since having ankle surgery back in September.
Captain Mark Noble is expected to return to the starting eleven following a three-match ban. He’s likely to replace Robert Snodgrass who is suspended after picking up five yellow cards.
Right-back Ryan Fredericks has been ruled out for at least three months with a shin injury while Carlos Sanchez (knee), Andriy Yarmolenko (Achilles), Manuel Lanzini (knee) and Winston Reid (knee) remain long-term injury absentees.
In terms of the bookies, City are firm favourites with both Bet365 and Betfred having them at 2/9. The best you can get for a draw is 11/2 at William Hill, while for a West Ham win, the best price is 12/1 with Betfair.
Manchester City Predicted XI to face West Ham
Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Delph, Sterling, Gundogan, Fernandinho, David Silva, Sane, Aguero
West Ham’s Predicted XI
Fabianski, Zabaleta, Balbuena, Diop, Cresswell, Noble, Rice, Obiang, Diangana, Arnautovic, Anderson
Predicted Score – City to win 3-0
