Manchester City arrive at Upton Park tonight with players desperate to prove themselves , not least injury-jinxed pair Stevan Jovetic and Jack Rodwell.
With Micah Richards and Fernandinho expected to be back and with Costel Pantilimon, Joleon Lescott, Matija Nastasic, Gael Clichy, and James Milner to come in, City will hardly be weak.
Sergio Aguero may also make his first start since returning from injury, after scoring twice in two substitute appearances.
There is also a suggestion that promising 18-year-old Marcos “Rony” Lopes could make his second start for the club.
Whatever the team, the very thought there’s no thoughts of strolling through the game with Jesus Navas saying: “The motivation is high in every single match.
“We are creating a lot of chances, and have a lot of players arriving in important positions but that does not just happen by chance. We work very hard in the week to make this happen.”
Zabaleta is likely to be rested tonight, but added: “It doesn’t matter about the first leg.
“We have to go into that game thinking it’s a new game – even though we have six goals.
“We need to try and win it – like we are doing in other games at the moment. We are winning games and working hard.
“West Ham are in a tough moment, they are at home and will want to win it. So we need to take it seriously and we will.”