---
title: "Pablo starts; Magassa dropped – West Ham vs Manchester City predicted XI"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/03/13/west-ham-vs-manchester-city-predicted-xi/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Matt Bottomley"
section: "Match Previews"
published: "2026-03-13T12:27:54Z"
modified: "2026-03-13T15:00:25Z"
---

# Pablo starts; Magassa dropped – West Ham vs Manchester City predicted XI

West Ham United return to Premier League action as they host title-chasing Manchester City at the London Stadium. [Nuno Espirito Santo’s team](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/12/west-ham-vs-manchester-city-premier-league-nuno-pre-match-26/) have kept their winning momentum going [but face a huge test as Pep Guardiola’s side come to town](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/12/west-ham-vs-manchester-city-preview-and-prediction-26/).

[The Hammers can book their ticket out of the relegation zone](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/06/west-ham-survival-situation-gameweek-29/) with a win before Nottingham Forest play on Sunday. [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/) are coming off the back of two wins and will hope [Manchester City](https://readmancity.com/)‘s midweek trip to Madrid has them heading into this game with tired legs.

Here’s who we think will start the game tomorrow night.

### Mads Hermansen (GK)

[Mads Hermansen](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/06/mads-hermansen-on-west-ham-group-mentality/) returns between the sticks after [Alphonse Areola](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/10/alphonse-areola-west-ham-return/) took the duties in the [FA Cup win over Brentford](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/09/west-ham-2-2-brentford-fa-cup/). Hermansen is in great form and has been key to West Ham’s league transition.

### Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB)

Aaron Wan-Bissaka returns after coming off the bench against Brentford. Top quality defender on his day and the Hammers best option on the right.

### Jean-Clair Todibo (CB)

[Jean-Clair Todibo](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/05/jean-clair-todibo-west-ham-fulham-win/) returns to the starting XI after missing the Brentford game post an imperious performance in the win over Fulham.

### Axel Disasi (CB)

The un-droppable [Axel Disasi](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/13/axel-disasi-confident-west-ham-survival/) keeps his place. His performances speak for themselves.

### Malick Diouf (LB)

Another who got a rest on Monday, [El Hadji Malick Diouf](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/09/el-hadji-malick-diouf-on-axel-disasi-west-ham-form/) returns to the starting XI for Ollie Scarles.

### Mateus Fernandes (CDM)

The man who keeps everything connected, [Mateus Fernandes](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/02/mateus-fernandes-on-liverpool-vs-west-ham-26/) stays in the XI. The midfielder is currently with [Disasi](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/11/axel-disasi-loving-west-ham-loan-spell/) on the un-droppable list.

### Tomas Soucek (CDM)

[Tomas Soucek](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/11/tomas-soucek-west-ham-penalties-fa-cup/) stays in, playing the deeper role once again. The big midfielder is hugely important to everything West Ham do.

### Adama Traore (LW)

With [Crysencio Summerville](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/11/west-ham-crysencio-summerville-out-two-weeks/) out with a calf injury, Adama Traore keeps his place. Strangely hooked a t half-time against Brentford, the big-bodies winger played well in his cameo.

### Pablo Felipe (CAM)

Making his return on Monday, Pablo Felipe stays in, dropping behind the striker for this game.

### Jarrod Bowen (RW)

The captain netted twice on Monday night, getting those much needed goals. [Jarrod Bowen](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/10/jarrod-bowen-west-ham-fa-cup-win-brentford/) stays in to run the right-hand-side.

### Valentin Castellanos (ST)

Valentin Castellanos returns after a cameo earlier in the week. The Argentinan continues to look a threat and he’ll need to be on point with service likely limited in this game.

**Hermansen (GK); Wan-Bissaka; Todibo; Disasi; Diouf; Fernandes; Soucek; Traore; Pablo; Bowen; Castellanos**