West Ham United host Manchester City on Friday evening (7:55pm kick off) looking to knock Pep Guardiola’s side out of the FA Cup in their third round tie at the London Stadium.

Last season, Slaven Bilic’s side reached the quarter finals of the competition before being knocked out by Manchester United. The Red Devils were forced to a replay by the Hammers, but Louis van Gaal’s side eventually came out as 2-1 victors before going on to win the competition.

West Ham have not lived up to expectations this season as they currently sit 13^th in the Premier League table. The FA Cup could be their best way of qualifying for the Europa League this season.

The London side have been turning their season around in recent weeks after picking up ten out of a possible 18 points in the Premier League in December.

Friday night’s clash is almost guaranteed to be an entertaining fixture. Here are THREE reasons why West Ham can knock out five-time FA Cup winners Manchester City…

Struggles at the bubbles

The Sky Blues have struggled in recent years when playing away to the Hammers.

City have only won two of their last five trips at the Boleyn Ground. With West Ham moving to the London Stadium last summer, can they maintain their home form against Guardiola’s side?

The visitors are set to be without five of their first team players for Friday’s fixture. Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan are all unavailable for the match; Leroy Sane and Fabian Delph are also doubts.

The amount of first team casualties may just give Bilic’s team the perfect opportunity to progress in the cup.

Previous Cup Upsets

West Ham are not strangers to a cup upset.

They have already knocked out Chelsea in this season’s EFL Cup so manager Bilic is very aware of how to take down Premier League giants.

With the Sky Blues expected to make changes to their side, Friday’s hosts will want to take full advantage of any opportunity that City manager Pep Guardiola will give them.

Realistically, West Ham do have a good chance of progressing.

Andy Carroll

The 6ft 4in striker has been back in the first team for West Ham over the festive period.

With City expected to rotate their team, will their defence be able to cope with the former England international’s presence.

Guardiola’s defence have struggled this season; having already conceded 34 goals in 28 matches in all competitions.

Carroll has also scored four times against City in his career and if he does feature on Friday evening, he will only be looking to increase his own tally.