The fascination with this fixture lies in what may happen to Manuel Pellegrini if Manchester City lose. If the champions were to suffer a seventh defeat in nine outings to continue their slump in 2015 – City were joint-top on New Year’s Day and are now fourth – the manager’s position may become untenable. In this scenario Liverpool, who are in FA Cup semi-final action this weekend, could close to only a point behind if they won their extra match. A victory, though, and Pellegrini’s garden, and that of City’s, becomes far rosier. Jamie Jackson
Kick-off Sunday 1.30pm
Venue Etihad Stadium
Last season Man City 2 West Ham 0
Live Sky Sports 1
Referee A Taylor
This season G24, Y96, R5, 4.42 cards per game
Odds H 2-7 A 14-1 D 11-2
Manchester City
Subs from Caballero, Wright, Pozo, Lampard, Sagna, Fernando, Boyata, Navas, Hiwula, Glendon
Doubtful None
Injured Bony (knee, unknown), Clichy (calf, unknown, Jovetic (thigh, unknown), Kompany (hip, unknown), Milner (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LWLWLL
Discipline Y62 R2
Leading scorer Agüero 19
West Ham United
Subs from Jaaskelainen, Spiegel, Demel, O’Brien, Burke, Oxford, Cullen, poyet, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Nolan
Doubtful None
Injured Carroll (knee, Aug), Henry (hamstring, Aug), Tomkins (shoulder, Aug), Sakho (thigh, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LLLWLD
Discipline Y56 R2
Leading scorer Sakho 10
