Manchester City continue their title defence as Pep Guardiola’s Citizens host Watford at the Etihad Stadium.
Victory would see Man City open a four-point lead over second-placed Liverpool who aren’t in action until Sunday teatime, whereas Watford will stay 19th with a win but move to within four points of safety.
Team News
Nathan Ake is a huge doubt for Man City after suffering an ankle injury in Wednesday’s win over Brighton.
John Stones (muscle) is a doubt but Kyle Walker (ankle) and Benjamin Mendy (personal) remain absent.
Watford could again be without Francisco Sierralta as he continues to recover from a calf injury, which forced him to miss last weekend’s defeat against Brentford.
William Troost-Ekong (hamstring), Samuel Kalu (ankle), Kwadwo Baah and Nicolas Nkoulou (both fitness) are doubts.
Cucho Hernandez (hamstring) remains absent.
Stat Attack
- Man City are unbeaten in 13 previous Premier League meetings against Watford (W11, D2).
- Watford are winless in six previous Premier League visits to Man City (D1, L5), during which they scored just twice and conceded 17 goals.
- City have won 11 consecutive Premier League matches against Watford.
- Man City have scored first in four of five league matches at home in 2022 – with exception of a 3-2 defeat to Tottenham in February where they conceded a fourth minute opening goal.
- Watford have kept three clean sheets in seven away matches under Roy Hodgson (W1, D2).
Prediction
Having suffered a lacklustre FA Cup loss to Liverpool last weekend, Man City certainly bounced back with a dominant win in midweek over Brighton but they did have to bide their time through a sloppy first half before delivering a clinical second half performance.
Watford meanwhile didn’t perform too badly in their defeat against Brentford because their attack again looked solid but lacked that sharp edge, whilst their defence was much better despite tiny mistakes eventually proving the difference.
This match though feels like a write-off for the Hornets given their poor form against City but it can work in their favour, especially if they deliver a resilient defence and are clinical up front but I just don’t see that happening given the gulf in quality.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Watford
Result: Manchester City 5-1 Watford