Man City vs West Ham United: Still Three Points Even Though They Lost Many Players

JAKARTA - Manchester City lost many players when hosting West Ham United in the English Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Saturday, December 20, 2025 WIB. However, manager Pep Guardiola is still confident that Man City will get three points to overthrow Arsenal from the top of the standings.

Forward Oscar Bobb was the latest to sit out against West Ham. Bobb's hamstring injury sustained when Man City beat Brentford 2-0 in the Carabao Cup match saw him forced off at half-time.

After undergoing examination, the 22-year-old winger was confirmed to be unable to appear in the weekend's match. Bobb followed Jeremy Doku, Rodri, John Stones and Mate Kovacic who had already been absent because they had not recovered from injuries.

"We'll see how they develop. We still have five days before facing Nottingham Forest and Sunderland. Some of them seem to be able to be brought down. But for this match [against West Ham], everyone can't play," Guardiola said as quoted by Sport Mole.

According to Guardiola, they have different time frames in the recovery process. Doku, for example, needs two to three weeks to recover from a foot injury. Doku is expected to be able to play when facing Sunderland a day after New Year or January 2, 2026 WIB.

Meanwhile, Stones has a foot injury that has made him absent for four matches. Meanwhile, Rodri who has not appeared in the last 10 matches in various competitions. The Spain national team midfielder has been injured since last October.

Kovacic is likely to rest longer. His ankle injury forced him to undergo surgery if necessary.

Not only losing injured players, but Man City also couldn't be strengthened by Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri who appeared in the African Cup. Marmoush shoulder-to-shoulder with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah defending Egypt. While Ait-Nouri plays for Algeria.

However, Guardiola can still field the best squad. With an abundance of players because of the fat Cityzens team, he can field the mainstay strikers Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.

They will be fitter after being on the bench against Brentford. Likewise, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is back under the bar with Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Bernardo Silva.

Guardiola did not underestimate West Ham even though they had turned into a bottom team and struggled in the relegation zone by occupying the 18th position. According to him, the team coached by Nuno Espirito Santo remains a team that must be taken into account.

"We have prepared well even though we are facing a team that has picked up bad results during the previous few matches. However, they were able to steal points at Old Trafford [against Manchester United] and Brighton and Hove Albion. We know they will make it difficult for us," said Guardiola.

"When playing against Aston Villa, they lost after the goal in the last minute. Villa is also difficult to stop lately. We have respect for West Ham, but we are ready," he replied.