{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Pundit predicts ‘interesting battle’ between Kurt Zouma and Erling Haaland in West Ham United v Manchester City clash
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie is expecting an “interesting battle” between West Ham defender Kurt Zouma and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
The two players are set to go head to head when the Hammers take on the Manchester outfit on Saturday (17 September).
Pep Guardiola’s men travel to the London Stadium for the Premier League clash sitting top of the table with four wins from four.
The home side are also unbeaten, having won three and drawn one of their four Premier League matches so far this season.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “Zouma against Haaland is going to be interesting. It will be an interesting battle.
Subscribe to Football Insider TV now
“I wouldn’t like to see the referee try and get between those two players. You get the ball into the box in a certain area and Haaland will get on the end of it, that’s for sure.”
Both Zouma and Haaland have made strong starts to the new Premier League campaign, albeit for very different reasons.
At the back, the former has been very solid, with his 36 clearances placing him at the top of the list for all players in the competition, as per the official Premier League website.
Going forward, the latter has picked up from where he left off last season, banging in six goals from his four matches.
It will undoubtedly be an intriguing battle, with Zouma set to rely heavily on his potential centre-back partner Nayef Aguerd to help him out throughout the match.
Unfortunately for the home side, Haaland isn’t the only danger, with the likes of Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez certain to cause problems should they feature on Saturday.
In other West Ham news, a journalist believes the club are “stronger” without Declan Rice as “positive” early signs emerge.