Premier League: West Ham v Manchester City match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Upton Park

Edin Dzeko celebrates scoring his side's equaliser (Getty Images)

West Ham United can expect a true test of their Premier League credentials in Saturday's clash with Manchester City at Upton Park.

Sam Allardyce's side have made a respectable start upon their return to the top flight with four wins and two draws from their opening nine games.

Having claimed victories over the likes of Aston Villa, Fulham and Southampton, West Ham will undoubtedly face their toughest challenge yet against the champions. City, who have beaten Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland and Fulham in their past four matches, are third in the table, one point behind leaders Chelsea, but may have one eye on their must-win Champions League tie against Ajax in midweek.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 5.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Manchester City 2 (De Jong, Zabaleta) West Ham 1 (Ba), Premier League, May 2011

West Ham 1 (Tomkins) Man City 3 (Toure, Green OG, Johnson), Premier League, December 2010

West Ham 1 (Boa Morte) Man City 1 (Wright-Phillips), Premier League, May 2010

STATS...

West Ham have won just one of their previous 12 meetings against Manchester City.

Kevin Nolan has scored four goals this season, with every strike coming at home.

Edin Dzeko has the fewest Premier League minutes (281) of any City striker, but has scored five goals - one short of the combined total of Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli.

ODDS...

West Ham to win: 4.75

Man City to win: 1.66

Draw: 3.75

TV: Live on ESPN at 5.30pm and highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm