Arsenal play host to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, but in terms of the significance of the result, there is a case for suggesting that the biggest Premier League match this weekend will be played at Upton Park.
Title challengers Manchester City make the trip to East London to take on a West Ham United side that will fancy their chances of gate-crashing the top four if they can nab all three points.
West Ham
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The term 'Happy Hammer' has not been as relevant for a long time.
Under the guidance of the energetic yet thoughtful Slaven Bilic, West Ham find themselves in sixth position and just four points adrift of the Champions League places.
Not only that, they are playing a brand of football in keeping with the 'West Ham Way' that supporters yearned for during the days of Sam Allardyce, as well as having beaten off competition from a number of rivals to sign the promising Sam Byram from Leeds United.
Yet, the good feeling exists despite the fact that last time out a 2-1 defeat was inflicted by struggling Newcastle United at St James' Park.
Even so, West Ham have a better record on the road than they do in front of their own supporters. Sixteen points have been collected at Upton Park, compared to 19 away from home - the third best return in the division.
They also have a positive defensive record of late, having conceded just six goals in their last nine Premier League outings.
Recent form: DDWWWL
Recent form (all competitions): DWWWWL
Man City
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If the Citizens had not produced such an average set of results away from home this term, they would be comfortably clear at the top of the table.
As it is, the 15 points earned from a possible 30 is only the ninth-best record in the Premier League. In comparison, the two teams above them - Arsenal and Leicester City - have picked up 21 and 25 respectively.
The magnitude of the problem is highlighted by the fact that prior to their 2-1 win away at Watford on January 2, Manuel Pellegrini's side had gone six matches on their travels without a victory.
Perhaps the key to reversing those fortunes is keeping Sergio Aguero fit. Fresh from a stint on the sidelines with a heel injury, the Argentine scored the winner at Watford and he has found the net four times in his last five appearances in all competitions.
Aguero's ability is not lost on Bilic, who told reporters earlier today: "Sergio Aguero is one of the best strikers in the world. He is really an unbelievable player, his movement and finishing is top class."
City are the top flight's highest scorers with 43 goals from their 22 matches, 10 of which have come courtesy of leading goalscorer Aguero. It may sound simple, but City's chances of winning a third title in four years rely heavily on the 27-year-old staying in peak physical condition between now and May.
Recent form: LWDWDW
Recent form (all competitions): DWLWDW
Team News
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Signed from Leeds for a reported £4m, the big question for Bilic is does he throw Byram in for an instant debut in a game of such importance?
James Tomkins and Carl Jenkinson have filled the right-back position so far this year, but there is every chance that Byram will take on that responsibility from now on.
Further forward, Bilic will be without the injured Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, which is likely to see Enner Valencia lead the attack.
As for City, Yaya Toure was rested for the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace last time out, but the Ivorian midfielder is expected to return for the clash along with Raheem Sterling.
Captain Vincent Kompany is still ruled out, though, with a long-standing calf problem.
West Ham possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Byram, Ogbonna, Collins, Cresswell; Noble, Song, Kouyate; Moses, Payet; Valencia
Man City possible starting lineup:
Hart; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Demichelis, Kolarov; Fernando, Toure; Silva, De Bruyne, Sterling; Aguero
Head To Head
When the two sides met earlier in the campaign at the Etihad Stadium, West Ham caused a shock as they ran out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Victor Moses and Sakho.
That was only West Ham's second victory against City in the previous 13 encounters between the teams.
City's last win at Upton Park in the Premier League came in October 2013 when Aguero helped himself to two goals in a 3-1 triumph.
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We say: West Ham 2-2 Man City
These two teams like to play attacking football with pace and that could well be reflected on the scoreline. The three points are crucial for both, but they may have to settle for a share of the spoils.
Liam Apicella
