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West Ham vs. Manchester City FC

Boleyn Ground

5th January 2008

3pm

West Ham v MCFC

This is West Ham's and City's last chance at silverware this season. West Ham have a very good pedigree in this cup competition are were very unlucky to come on the losing side two seasons ago in a great cup final with Liverpool. City have been quarter finalists for the past two seasons and failed to get past that stage in the league cup just prior to Christmas.

West Ham will want however to avenge the early season defeat to the blues.

Vital Quotes:

Didi Hamann on the Cup and Wembley: "Everybody knows about the FA Cup and what a massive competition it is," he said.

"It`s a cup competition where two teams go out on the park and only one can go through - that`s the beauty of the competition.

"Obviously, West Ham away is not an ideal draw, they`ve found a bit of form lately. We`ve got to go somewhere we won on the first day of the season, so why shouldn`t we do it again?

"It`s a tough draw, but if we do win on Saturday and go through, maybe one or two teams wouldn`t like to draw us for the next round.

"I think we`ve made a pretty good impression in the league this season and it`s another massive game for us at West Ham where hopefully we`ll come up with the goods."



There`s a lot at stake and most players have not played at the new Wembley yet and I certainly would like to go to Wembley one day and play again there.

"There`s not too many chances left and hopefully we can make the most of it this year."

West Ham Team News:

West Ham duo Lee Bowyer and Matthew Etherington could both return for the tie with Manchester City.

The pair have been back in training for more than a week after injury, but Julien Faubert is not yet ready.

It is probably too soon for Craig Bellamy to return as well.

Player to watch: Dean Ashton

His display against us two season's ago cost us a semi final place and will surely want to impress the newly arrived Capello that he is worthy of an England place.

Manchester City FC Team News:

Mexico striker Nery Castillo could make his debut for Manchester City debut after receiving international clearance following his year-long loan move.

City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has no new injury worries from the team that defeated Newcastle on Wednesday.

Michael Johnson is probably still a doubt, but apart from Bojinov City have no other injury doubts.

Player to watch: Blumer Elano

After scoring at Newcastle, his return to his full fitness best can only be around the corner.

Match Facts & Stats

City have beaten West Ham on the last three meetings, completing the double last season.

But West Ham hold a 100% FA Cup record against City having only played each other twice; both being a 2-1 scoreline.

Ref Watch:

Rob Styles - the only saving grace is that he does not have Sylvain Distin or Joey Barton to send off. A pretty poor referee overall.

Match Prediction:

West Ham have found some form recently and will be strong at home, but I do not think they are good enough to beat City so I think a scoring draw is very likely. 1-1.

Next Fixtures:

City away to the in form Everton on Saturday 12th January at a 3pm kick off.




Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco

Writer: Gavin Cooper  Mail feedback, articles or suggestions

Date:Friday January 4 2008

Time: 5:02PM

Your Comments

Sound analysis. I'll take a draw on the road any time but the wind is in City's sails and if we strike early, I think we'll make it two in a row on the road.
Johnny Baguette
The sort of tie neither side would pick for the 3rd round. Away win.
storagematt
Like the positivity storagematt!
Johnny Baguette
tough draw - but you just might sneak it after a replay!
merlin
I think Castillo will start also hope he gives Etuhu a chance as well if so we can reverse Muppet Lawro's 2-0 prediction. WEMBLEY HERE WE COME !!!
alphieblues
Is the system of cup competition playing two game ( Home, Away ) ?
city 81
city 81 Where have you been ? everyone knows the Cup is a straight knockout.
alphieblues
Mark Lawrenson is obviously worried that Liverpool are on the slide and his predictions increasingly look like wishful thinking. He can make City the underdogs all season for me!
Johnny Baguette
Easy Easy City At First Attempt..!
horseworrier
Here's to that being the case, horseworrier!
Johnny Baguette
alphieblues, :) I was here, Read violent attack us from Chelsea fans. http://www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=503268#yoursay
city 81
Sorry city 81, I understand now that I have read from your other postings that you are in Kuwait. I have a cousin out there who is a passionate City fan and watches them every week on TV and sneds me text messages during matches. He is a Display Manager for Debenhams Kuwait, hope you bump into him one day, cheers !!
alphieblues
It does not matter alphieblues & I wish for your cousin pleasant stay here in Kuwait, If you asked him if there is Anyone Encourages Man City in Kuwait, HE will not find expct me , But there is little change now.. How? Before when i asked about who the English club I encourage? Whan I anser him it Manchester, They say yas United is good team, I tell him No I mean City, then you will see a puzzlement, Especially when we play in Division one ( Could say to himself, what kind of this man ), But now when it raises the same question and they Listen from me Of course the same answer , They say now who you mean City or United ? This difference, but a big difference for me, I hope in the next few years if I hear from one encourages united, I Going to say to him with surprising face : Where I did heard that name before !! :))
city 81
Well done city 81 keep flying the flag !
alphieblues
do you think of the FA cup as a set back in the season, a pesky annoyance that just gets in the way, or as a relm opotunity to show what you have got to the league/world?
pompeycarpet
Football is all about winning trophies, although I think some clubs have lost sight of the fact, and just see it as an intrusion to earning the obscene money that the Premiership promotes
alphieblues
I was looking at the teams put out by Premiership managers against supposed lesser opposition and have lost because they have not taken it seriously. The lower league teams have nothing to lose, but I just cannot understand why managers field a weakened team. Probably only Arsenal, Chelsea and the swamp monsters could get away with it. This is the greatest cup competition in the world.
Buzz Lightyear
Totally agree Buzz. Be terrible to see the FA Cup go the same way as the League Cup but I think it's started. Be brilliant for the smaller clubs to play against the superstars. That's what it was all about. Back to the transfer merry go round and the rumours on the continent link Fred of Lyon and Podolski of Bayern with City.
Johnny Baguette
I want one player ( Samir Nasri ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbjYyikbUew
city 81
Good player Nasri, city 81. Growing in stature at Marseille and in teh national team. Can you believe his agent offered him to City for a trial a year or so ago??!!
Johnny Baguette
Whaaaat , Do we reject offer Nasri & We accepted the offer Trabulsi or Dabo!!!
city 81
 

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