Slaven Bilic believes West Ham can complete City double

By Peter Gilbert

Friday 22 January 2016 14:24, UK

Slaven Bilic believes West Ham can complete a Premier League double over Manchester City.

Bilic has hailed City as the best team in England but the Hammers boss is confident his side can follow up September's 2-1 win at Upton Park on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.

Manuel Pellegrini's side warmed up for the clash with a 4-0 thumping of Crystal Palace last time out, but Bilic is hopeful West Ham can continue their impressive record against the established big teams this season with another scalp.

Bilic has overseen victories against Arsenal, Chelsea, City and twice against Liverpool already this season.

"We have the confidence but we know we have to be on top of our game," said Bilic. "We have done it before, so we don't have to dream to do something that other clubs have done.

"We have done it this season - and with the greatest respect to them as I really believe they are the best side in England - we are playing at home.

"We have been playing really well at home. Our last game was against Liverpool and we beat them 2-0 and we played really well."

City, who invested heavily in the summer with Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne both arriving in big-money deals, have endured a stuttering campaign with Pellegrini coming under increasing pressure after Pep Guardiola announced he is to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

But Bilic believes the former Real Madrid and Malaga manager is dealing admirably with speculation surrounding his future.

"If you are the Manchester City manager than the pressure comes with the territory," Bilic added.

"But he is handling that pressure and that situation with ease. He is so strong mentally and so experienced that he is above the situation."

Pellegrini will be able to call on the services of star striker Sergio Aguero, who has scored four goals in his last five appearances since returning to fitness following injury.

The Argentine has endured a stop-start season, missing seven games with a hamstring injury and then four matches due to a heel problem, but his two goals against Palace last Saturday, suggested he is returning to something near his best.

"Aguero is back on form and for me he is definitely of the top five strikers in the world," Bilic said.

"He wasn't out of form, but he was injured and he also needed a few games to get back. But he is unbelievable. He is quick, he is lethal, he is very clever and very patient in the box and his movement is unbelievable. If you add to that the service from Yaya Toure, David Silva and De Bruyne, they have amazing quality."

Watch West Ham vs Manchester City live on Sky Sports 1 on Saturday from 5:00pm