Man City boss Pep Guardiola wants another morale-boosting win over West Ham

LONDON – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could be feeling just a bit more positive in this new year, as he prepares for his team’s English Premier League home clash against West Ham United on Jan 4.

After a terrible run of form, the champions are in sixth place at the halfway stage of the competition and a massive 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.

City, however, head into their latest fixture on the back of

a 2-0 victory at Leicester City

– their first win in six matches in all competitions and their first away success in over two months.

It is difficult to say if the tide has turned, and Guardiola has warned against complacency.

“It was a game where we didn’t play at our best level,” he said. “We won but games are like that in football.

“It is good for the mood to get results. We are a way from being consistent with results, but we have another chance to get a victory against West Ham which will help in the future.”

Before the win over Leicester, City had suffered an eight-game winless run on the road, losing seven of those matches. The victory was just their second in 14 matches in all competitions.

It was also a timely boost for morale as Guardiola’s men will look to continue a New Year tradition – City have won each of their last 12 opening league games of a calendar year since they lost to Sunderland in 2012.

While statistics are just a guide, Guardiola has also overseen eight Premier League home matches against West Ham and won all of them, so the odds are in City’s favour.

Matheus Nunes, John Stones and Ederson are doubtful for this match, while Rodri, Oscar Bobb and Ruben Dias remain sidelined. Kyle Walker is back after missing the Leicester game due to illness.

Guardiola also spoke about the club’s transfer plans in the January window.

He said: “I don’t know right now. It’s not easy. Maybe we’ll sign, or maybe we don’t sign anyone. So I think the club has to be wise, don’t do it for doing it, just to add players.

“Of course for the situation that we have... the players that have had consistent injuries for many, many, many times, of course the club has to do it. But I don’t know if it will be possible.”

As for West Ham, they suffered a huge blow in their last match – a

5-0 home loss to Liverpool

– when they lost their captain Jarrod Bowen to a foot fracture.

The Hammers are in 13th place and eight points above the relegation zone.

They have failed to win any of their last 18 league matches against City, and manager Julen Lopetegui would have noted that West Ham have never suffered a 19-game streak without a win against a particular opponent.

“Manchester City are one of the best teams in the world,” he said. “You can talk about recent weeks, but I know the quality of the team that we’re going to face.

“They are a very good team, with very good players and a top coach, who have played with the same ideas for a long time.

“We are going to have a very demanding match.”