Diame v Toure: This midfield battle could decide West Ham–Man City

With the Premier League back underway this weekend, one of the more intriguing clashes comes between West Ham, fresh from upsetting Tottenham before the international break looking to build upon that as they host Manchester City.

Digging deeper into this clash and we get to witness a coming together between two of the Premier League’s midfield behemoths in Mohamed Diame and Yaya Toure, in a mouth-watering midfield clash.

Whoever wins the battle in the centre of the park could suggest which way this match will swing.

Toure’s goals so far this season

Toure has been in superb form in the opening seven games of this season, netting four times already from midfield, with his free kick taking prowess coming to the fore with some fantastic strikes already.

Diame will have to make sure he doesn’t succumb to being overly combative, having conceded 11 fouls already, as Toure could make them pay if they are given away in a dangerous area.

Diame’s task will be to nullify the attacking capabilities of Toure, with the City man having hit the target with 67% of his nine attempts on goal, found his man with 91% of his passes and created nine chances for his colleagues as well in an excellent start to the season.

Diame’s duels contested so far this season

But Toure will in turn have to cope with Diame’s athleticism, with the Hammers tank having won seven more (18) tackles than Toure (11) at a success rate of 82%, while he is just as formidable going the other way having beaten his man 18 times already, compared to Toure’s measly four.

While Toure may be loath to let his Senegalese adversary past him, he will be aware that Diame does not pose too much threat in an attacking sense, having completed just 73% of his passes, created just three chances for a side that has struggled for creativity at times, while his shooting accuracy comes in at a very poor 18%, having managed to hit the target with just two of his 11 attempts at goal this season.

This has seen Diame pick up three Squawka Worst Awards for having had the fared the worst in possession during a match for his side, something he will need to alter if City aren’t given ample opportunity to punish their hosts.

It promises to be an exciting battle between two powerhouses of the Premier League, but you would imagine that if Toure can get the best of his rival, then City can go on to claim another three points in their bid to claim back the Premier League trophy, while the Hammers’ hopes of claiming any points will be reliant on Diame stopping the big Ivorian.