Man City v West Ham match preview

Following the successful advance in the UEFA Cup over FC København, Manchester City travel to Upton Park Sunday afternoon to face Gianfranco Zola's West Ham. With both clubs looked securely in the mid-table with a chance to squeeze into a Europa League spot, this match is more than just a battle of pride between two old foes from their playing days. Oddly enough though, the background tale of both managers might be more interesting part with many saying the great maestro, Gianfranco Zola, could be the eventual leader of Chelsea as well as the ongoing vultures circling Eastlands for Mark Hughes job. Couple in the return of Craig Bellamy to Upton and this match has all the makings of a Puccini Opera.

For the Hammers the year has been a unique one and equally, one that has quietly echoed the shape of things to come in the sport. After a solid start, their then-manager Alan Curbishley tendered his resignation giving the reason of upper management's transfer policy. Unfortunately Mr. Curbishley, who is one of the most underrated managers in England, did not understand the shaky footing that the sport was standing on and the reality of needing to ratchet down financial demands. Quite possibly he was the one of the public's first signs of a shape of things to come but nonetheless it wasn't long till the flourishing Gianfranco Zola era began at Boleyn Grounds.

What of course makes this match most interesting or at least curious to watch, is the return of Craig Bellamy to Uptown Park. The Welsh striker, who many questioned Mark Hughes' signing-of has been on-fire since joining the Citizens. While the very obvious strong lines of communication between manager and player served as a launching pad for the strikers renewed motivation and his production should be no surprise, he relishes the opportunity to go against his former club.

From City's perspective the match is another opportunity to salvage an otherwise melancholy domestic campaign. A few days past the FC København victory in the UEFA Cup, the Premier League season is a adrift in a sea of mediocrity but equally a spot in the new Europa League is only a few points off. While the Citizens have squandered countless points, returning to European competition is not that far off if they can turn their fortune while playing away from Eastlands.

For the match Mark Hughes will be without Shaun Wright-Phillips, who is in the sin-bin but otherwise fully-fit. The Hammers will be without Wales international James Collins as well as a host of long-term absentee's and Mark Noble under suspension.