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In what seems like an eternity, the team here at Sports Courant can happily say that domestic football is back, wooo hoo!

The international break always seems like it’s a football season in it self. Premier League football is back this weeks and is serving up some fantastic games.

League leaders Manchester City travel to early season high-flyers West Ham United. This won’t be an easy game for the Premier League champions City as West Ham look back to their best.

The Irons, look like they’re back to the level of a few seasons ago, that saw them finish sixth in the League.

One of the key players from then until now had been captain Declan Rice, but with him now sold, West Ham have been in need of inspiration on the pitch.

David Moyes’ side have had that in the form of James Ward-Prowse who has been superb since moving from the London stadium.

Another player, who will be key for the fourth-placed Hammers is Brazilian Lucas Pacqueta. The Brazilian Pacqueta was a target for Manchester City after the injury of Kevin De Bruyne was announced.

The former Lyon player had been a key player for the French side alongside now Newcastle player Bruno Guimaraes.

A respectable 18 goals in 67 games for the attacking-midfielder was enough to convince David Moyes to sign the 26-year-old.

Pacqueta, who signed for The Hammers for an undisclosed fee, won the UEFA Conference League in his first season.

Since joining West Ham, Lucas Pacqueta has scored five goals in 22 games. For a player of his position, he is valued for assists as well as goals.

The Hammers man alongside his five goals, has three assists. These respectable stats caught the eye of Man City boss Pep Guardiola who asked his bosses to ready a bid for the former Lyon man.

Negotiations into a deal, appeared to be going at an assured pace, but when news emerged that Lucas Pacqueta might be facing some charges relating to some bets allegedly placed, a deal broke down.

Manchester City, opted to then move for Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes. On paper, the champions have ended up with a worse deal.

After initialling impressing Wolves when signed from Sporting Lisbon, last season the 25-year-old Brazilian scored a solitary goal in the Premier League, which could be the reason why Nunes’ side scored just 31 goals.

So with West Ham and Manchester facing off tomorrow in one of the 3 o’clock kick off’s, we offer some thoughts as to which player (Lucas Pacqueta/Matheus Nunes) will get the better of the other on the day.

Arguably this is one of the key battles on the pitch that needs to be won. The Hammers will be looking for their creative spark from Pacqueta and Man City from Nunes.

If one was to go by pure numbers, then surely the West Ham will end out on top, but with Nunes, those numbers were in a Wolves team that was struggling.

This year, the 25-year-old has Haaland to supply to, which will boost his assist numbers right up.

The former Wolves man has players like Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake and Jack Grealish or even Phil Foden who will feed him a lot no doubt.

It’s also worth mentioning, this Manchester City side in their games, more times than not dominate possession.

This will help Nunes immensely. Although I personally still harbour the view that Matheus Nunes shouldn’t have been bought, in comparison to Lucas Pacqueta he will be similar.

The West Ham man stats wise, will edge it, but that’s only because City have more match winners in their side.

So, that’s our view, what’s yours? Do let us know in the comments.

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