Premier League: Manchester City vs West Ham preview

Manchester City are set to become Premier League champions for the second time in three years if they manage to avoid defeat in their final game of the season at home to West Ham United. The Citizens defeated Aston Villa 4-0 on Wednesday to get one hand on the title after Liverpool suffered an unlikely shock, throwing away a three-goal lead at Crystal Palace to draw 3-3. Manuel Pellegrini's men now have a two-point advantage over the Reds, who play at Newcastle on the final day of the season. Manchester City have the advantage of a better goal difference, 13 goals better than Liverpool, so only a West Ham win could deprive the Citizens of the title. City come into the game on the back of four consecutive wins but that does not guarantee them a fifth when they face West Ham on Sunday. The Citizens have suffered such a setback in the 2011-2012 season, when everybody expected them to beat QPR and secure the title but back then they needed a very late goal from Sergio Aguero to snatch a 3-2 win. West Ham have little left to play for, their only goal would be to secure the 12th place in the league table, which would give them a bigger share of the Premier League end-of-season money. The Hammers were defeated 3-1 by City in the reverse fixture at Upton Park and they were also heavily beaten in the Capital One Cup semi final in January, 9-0 on aggregate over two legs. West Ham recorded a prestigious 2-0 win over Tottenham last time out, a win that came after four consecutive defeats. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Manchester City win - 1/6 Draw - 8/1 West Ham win - 16/1