Having taken a dominant midweek European win at Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester City look to reignite their domestic title hopes as they face Watford at the Etihad Stadium.
A win for City will put them two points behind Liverpool who play on Sunday, whilst Watford can move closer towards safety with victory.
Team news
Phil Foden is set to return from illness for Manchester City as three players remain ruled out.
John Stones is absent with a muscle injury picked up during training ahead of their midweek match at Shakhtar Donetsk, whilst Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte are out for the foreseeable future with knee injuries.
Watford have just one fresh injury concern to report as Isaac Success is ruled out with a groin strain.
Craig Cathcart (thigh) and Troy Deeney (knee) both remain sidelined, although Cathcart could be ready for next weekend’s trip to Wolves.
Form
Man City suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend away at Norwich but bounced back in midweek with a 3-0 win away to Shakhtar.
Watford ended a four league match losing run last time out as they came from behind to draw 2-2 with Arsenal, although they’re yet to keep a clean sheet.
Stat Attack
- Manchester City have lost just one of their last 19 meetings with Watford in all competitions (W16, D2, L1).
- Raheem Sterling have scored five goals in his last two starts for City against Watford in all competitions.
- Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne has made the most assists so far this season, doing so on five occasions.
- Gerard Deulofeu has produced the most shots for Watford so far this season, despite only five finding themselves on target.
- Manchester City are the only side to already surpass 100 shots in their opening five games of this season, achieving 102 shots although just 38 were on target.
Prediction
This should be an intriguing clash given how Man City dismantled Watford last time out in May at Wembley to win the FA Cup, making this a huge chance for Watford to hit back on City’s own turf.
They however are going to have to step up their game because although the Citizens were vulnerable last weekend, they know how to bounce back as demonstrated in midweek so expect an open game here.
In the end, I can see another Sky Blue win but perhaps by a narrower margin than usual between these teams.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Watford
Result: Manchester City 8-0 Watford
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