West Ham host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off) in what will already be their second meeting of 2017.

The two sides clashed in the third round of the FA Cup at the London Stadium back on January 6, with the Citizens running out 5-0 winners thanks to goals from Yaya Toure, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, and John Stones, as well as an own goal from West Ham’s Havard Nordtveit.

Nonetheless, Slaven Bilic’s Hammers have since then won both of their Premier League matches, with a commanding 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on January 14 followed by an equally-impressive 3-1 success at Middlesbrough last time out.

Those two wins have propelled West Ham into the top half of the table, although they’ll have a battle on their hands to record a third straight win when they face City on Wednesday.

Since their 5-0 win in East London on January 6, Guardiola’s men have lost at Everton, drawn at home to Tottenham, and beaten Crystal Palace in the FA Cup, so it’s not easy to gauge exactly where the Manchester club are at present.

However, they have some outstanding players who can win a game on their own, so it’ll be tricky for Bilic’s men on Wednesday, although they’ll know that victory could take them up to ninth in the table.

It’s been a while since West Ham last played, ten days to be exact, so Bilic could make a few changes to his starting eleven – thus, here are THREE players who deserve a chance against Man City on Wednesday…

Jose Fonte

Angelo Ogbonna’s injury could mean that Jose Fonte is in line for his West Ham debut against Manchester City on Wednesday.

The Portuguese international, who won the European Championships with his country last summer, signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at the London Stadium on January 20, but wasn’t signed early enough in the day to feature against Middlesbrough the following afternoon.

Nonetheless, fellow centre-back Ogbonna needs surgery on a knee problem so will miss the remainder of the campaign, which means that former Southampton defender Fonte is a likely replacement for the Italian at the heart of the Hammers defence.

The 33-year-old was outstanding for the Saints throughout his seven-year spell at St Mary’s, and West Ham fans will be hoping for similar performances from Fonte during his time in East London, starting on Wednesday night.

Jonathan Calleri

It would be something of a surprise, but could striker Jonathan Calleri make his first Premier League start of the season on Wednesday?

The Argentine, who represented his country at the Rio Olympics last summer, netted his first goal for the Hammers in their 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough last time out, in what was his seventh substitute appearance in the league for the club.

However, he did well in his 23-minute cameo against Aitor Karanka’s side to remind Bilic and co of his capabilities, so expect to see him feature slightly more in the coming weeks after getting that elusive first goal in their last match.

Robert Snodgrass

Scottish international Robert Snodgrass made the move from Hull to West Ham on Friday, and could be set for his Hammers debut against Guardiola’s Man City on Wednesday.

They spent just over £10 million on a player who scored seven and laid on three assists for the Tigers this term, and was seen by many as Hull’s key player in their bid for Premier League survival.

However, Snodgrass is clearly a quality footballer who will certainly add some creative spark to the Hammers midfield, and with Andy Carroll in fine form upfront, the midfielder could develop quite the relationship with the Englishman given his excellent crossing and set-piece ability, as well as Carroll’s phenomenal aerial prowess.

And, with City having struggled at the back this season, these two could be the key for West Ham on Wednesday night.