Saturday, 21 September 2019
Time: 17:00
Manchester City look to bounce back from a surprising defeat to Norwich as they take on Watford at the Etihad.
Already 5 points adrift of leaders Liverpool in the league, the champions succumbed to an unlikely 3-2 defeat at Carrow Road last weekend. They however made amends by cruising past Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 in their midweek Champions League fixture.
Pep Guardiola’s main headache is in defence with John Stones ruled out for the foreseeable future with injury adding to Aymeric Laporte who also faces time on the sidelines. Fernandinho could once again be called up to partner Otamendi in the centre back role after keeping a clean sheet in Donetsk.
Sergio Aguero, rested in midweek, has scored a remarkable 10 goals in 7 appearances against the Hornets. City also recorded the largest victory in an FA Cup final against Watford, beating them 6-0 back in May.
Watford have not won away from home since April despite showing fighting spirit to come back from 2 goals down for a point against Arsenal on Sunday in Quique Sanchez Flores’ first game back in charge.
The same starting X1 is expected to start with talisman Troy Deeney out for 2 months after undergoing knee surgery.
Flores will not see much of the ball at the Etihad and could start new signing Ismaila Sarr to inject pace and flair to the game.
Head to Head:
Man City have won their last 11 matches against the visitors in all competitions.
Tip:
Man City win with over 3 goals
Odd:
1.75
Stake:
Medium