Bacary Sagna, Yaya Toure, Gael Clichy and Jesus Navas are all recalled to the team, with Pablo Zabaleta, Fernando and Kelechi Iheanacho all making way. Aleks Kolarov is injured.
On the bench, there is a welcome return for Fernandinho and left-back Angelino, who spent time on loan with New York City FC, earns a place as back-up Clichy.
Team:
City XI: Hart, Sagna, Otamendi, Demichelis, Clichy, Toure, Delph, Silva, De Bruyne, Navas, Aguero
Subs: Caballero, Angelino, Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Fernando, Sterling, Iheanacho
Tactics: 4-2-3-1
It looks like a straightforward 4-2-3-1 formation for the Blues with David Silva orchestrating the symphony. Kevin De Bruyne and Jesus Navas will support Silva on either flank, all looking to feed the in-form Sergio Aguero.
Delph’s energetic man-of-the-match display against Palace sees him retain his place in the starting XI with Yaya Toure recalled alongside him in the engine room.
At the back, it’s more or less as expected with Sagna returning ahead of Zabaleta.
West Ham starting XI & subs
Adrian, Jenkinson, Reid, Collins, Cresswell, Kouyate, Song, Antonio, Noble, Payet, Valencia
Bench: Randolph, Obiang, Moses, Ogbonna, Byram, Jelavic, Oxford
Where the game could be won..
City will need to quell the threat of the powerful Antonio up front and Nicolas Otamendi will have his hands full this afternoon. Dmitri Payet has been one of the Premier League signings of the season and can cause havoc if given too much space.
City’s full-backs will need to be at their best and he could also come under the watchful eye of Delph.
If Otamendi can win his battle and if Payet isn’t allowed to have too much influence, the Blues will have a good chance of leaving Upton Park with a victory.
Take us to Wembley
In the big games, our fans can make a difference.
That will certainly be the case when Everton visit the Etihad Stadium for the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi- final on Wednesday 27 January, kick off 7.45pm.
It’s set to be a thrilling night of cup football and we’re hoping the roar of the City crowd can take us to Wembley and one step closer to a first piece of silverware this season.
Tickets are available to buy now priced from just £20 for Adults and £5 for Under 16s for supporters who meet the qualifying sales criteria.
Tickets are available to buy online at mcfc.co.uk/tickets, by telephone on
Click here for full ticket information.
