Akanji ready for Sunday showdown | OneFootball

Manuel Akanji says he is expecting nothing but a tough 90 minutes against West Ham United on Sunday.

Victory will see City claim an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League crown, but the Swiss defender believes the physicality and threat the Hammers have will ensure it will be a difficult final game of the campaign.

“We have to get the three points against West Ham which won’t be easy - we’ve got to be ready for that fight,” said Akanji. “It’s really important - we’ve played the same number of games as Arsenal now and now we’re first. We’ve got everything in our hands. It’s our goal to do it.

“If you can win the title at home in front of our own fans - there’s no better than feeling than that.

“We have to show up in front of our own fans to win the four titles in a row. We’ve got to recover well and prepare ourselves.”

The Hammers’ record at the Etihad may not be impressive, but Akanji believes they have the sort of quality that can hurt any team.

It is also David Moyes’ final match in charge, but Akanji believes it is from dead-ball situations that they pose the most danger from.

He said: “We’ve got time to prepare - they have good offensive players and defensively, they are big and physically strong and also good on set-pieces. That’s what we’ve got to be ready for.”

Reflecting on City’s crucial victory over Spurs, Akanji admits that the Blues were not at their fluent best and how he breathed a huge sigh of relief after when his mistake wasn’t punished by Son Heung-min late in the game.

“We went there and did what we needed to do - we’re really happy,” he said.

“It wasn’t easy - we didn’t start that well - we defended well as a team, though.

“In the second half, we did a little bit better, found the players on the wing with the space and used the first opportunity we had.

“It was a good action from Jeremy for the second goal – and Erling finished it really well.

“[As for the Son chance], I was so nervous, and I was praying that the ball wouldn’t go in!

“Right after the game I went to Stefan and thanked him for the incredible save - and for saving me!

“He saved the game for us. I should have made an easy decision and kicked the ball away.

“I tried to play it and brought myself into a sticky situation and lost the ball.

“Stefan made a brilliant save and that’s why you’ve got teammates to help you out of situations. I’m really thankful for it. He made some huge saves for us - I know what he’s capable of.

“It was not the first time that he’s come in and done really well - he did it at Anfield.

“I don’t think there’s a more difficult game to come into and he’s proving himself every time he plays. I’m really happy for him.”

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