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Manchester City are set to be crowned Premier League champions for the second time in three years if they avoid defeat in their final game of the season at home to West Ham United, live on Sky Sports 1HD.
Manuel Pellegrini's men put one hand on the trophy with their resounding 4-0 home success against Aston Villa in midweek after challengers Liverpool suffered an untimely stumble, blowing a 3-0 lead at Crystal Palace to draw 3-3.
The Etihad Stadium side now hold a two-point cushion on Brendan Rodgers' men, who end their season at home to Newcastle, and with City's goal difference 13 better than Liverpool only a shock West Ham win will offer the Reds any hope.
City have timed their run to the summit to perfection on the back of four successive victories, having so often been behind Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal during arguably the most enthralling title race of the Premier League era.
Pellegrini's men are odds-on favourites for glory, but in a campaign which has thrown up an endless string of shock results there can be no room for complacency.
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There are echoes, too, of the 2011/12 season when City were expected to brush aside relegation-threatened QPR en route to their first Premier League title, but ended up needing a last-gasp goal from Sergio Aguero to defeat their 10-man opponents 3-2 and pip Manchester United to the crown.
West Ham's only incentive is retaining 12th place in the table and a greater share of the end-of-season prize money as they are four adrift of Crystal Palace in 11th, but have Swansea, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Hull City within striking distance.
The Hammers have not enjoyed their meetings with City this season, going down 3-1 in the Premier League at Upton Park and suffering a 9-0 aggregate drubbing over the two legs of the Capital One Cup semi-final in January.
Sam Allardyce, who has seen his position come under fire from sections of the West Ham fans in recent weeks, saw his side snap a four-game losing streak with a 2-0 home success against Tottenham Hotspur last time out.
Redknapp on Man City v West Ham
Paul Merson's prediction
If Man City had to win it, then this would be a different kettle of fish, but they have to draw and I can't see them failing to win the league. Remember, West Ham went up there in the Capital One Cup a few months ago and got rinsed 6-0 and won't take much confidence out of that.
I have got to go for Man City to win - but honestly, after what I've seen in the Premier League in the last month, it wouldn't surprise me if West Ham scored in the first 10 minutes and then suddenly it's game on!
Man CityManchester City are boosted by the availability of star striker Aguero as they go in search of the point they need to claim the Premier League title.
Aguero, who secured the 2011/12 crown with virtually the last kick of the season, suffered a groin injury in the 3-2 win over Everton and missed the midweek victory over Aston Villa.
But he has been passed fit to face the Hammers, although with Edin Dzeko having scored five goals in his last three games, Pellegrini has another in-form option, with Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic providing further back up.
West Ham United FCWest Ham boss Allardyce could be tempted to stick with the same players on duty for last weekend's 2-0 home win over Tottenham.
The Hammers halted their four-game losing run against their 10-man London rivals and the starting XI may be rewarded with further action.
Marco Borriello was the only absentee from Allardyce's squad against Spurs, with the on-loan striker still hampered by a calf injury which has troubled him since his January arrival.
Last edited by Admin on Sun 11 May 2014, 9:31 am; edited 2 times in total
