West Ham United will look to move a step closer to preserving their Premier League status for at least another year when they host champions Manchester City at the London Stadium on Sunday.

The Irons were lying six points above the bottom three going into the weekend's fixtures, but they are certainly still looking over their shoulders following their 4-1 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last Sunday.

The east London outfit were on course to pick up what would have been a precious point when Marko Arnautovic levelled after Nacho Monreal had given the Gunners the lead, but three goals in the final eight minutes saw them slip to a heavy loss.

Hammers boss David Moyes will be keen for his side to secure their safety sooner rather than later, but they face a hugely difficult task against Pep Guardiola's men, who have only lost twice all season and are showing no sign of letting up despite already winning the title.

They beat Swansea City 5-0 last weekend, and with the 100-point total still within reach they remain motivated to get victories on the board.

Moyes, who would ensure that he is here to stay if he could mastermind a win against the Citizens to reassure the fans who were fed up with him on Twitter following the Arsenal defeat, stuck with the same XI that drew 1-1 with Stoke City for the trip to north London last time out.

However, following the reverse he may well be considering making some changes in terms of personnel and the 3-4-2-1 formation in order for his team to take something from the game.

Here is how West Ham must line up against Man City, ahead of Adrian in goal…

David Moyes may well have been considering replacing Joe Hart with Adrian between the sticks for the visit of City anyway, but the fact that the England international is ineligible to play has made his decision even easier.

Declan Rice was publicly criticised by the Scot after his mistake allowed Aaron Ramsey to score last weekend, but as he has during the past few weeks, the 19-year-old should still line up in a three-man defence alongside Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell with few other options available right now.

Moyes was seven minutes away from getting a point against Man City when his side were beaten 2-1 there back in December, and he should look to revert back to the 3-5-1-1 formation he used that day.

That would mean that an extra body comes into the middle of the park alongside Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate – Edimilson Fernandes would be the perfect candidate to bring some legs in that area – with Arthur Masuaku and Pablo Zabaleta lining up as wing-backs.

The former would need to bring some quality and pace on the left, with the hosts potentially playing a counter-attacking style against Pep Guardiola's men.

Moyes played Manuel Lanzini in behind Michail Antonio in attack at the Etihad Stadium back in December, and he may well have considered playing the latter there again had he been fit.

He isn't however, and the Scottish manager should consider playing Andy Carroll up top from the start – in place of Joao Mario in the XI.

The centre-forward would certainly bring a big goal threat and give the City defence plenty of problems because of his strength and height, and he could be an effective weapon to give Marko Arnautovic more time and space to create some magic in and around the penalty area.

Do you agree, Irons fans? Let us know below.