Prediction: Manchester City vs Watford

Prediction: Manchester City to win to nil

Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Bet365

Manchester City will look to extend the gap at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday evening as they take on an in-form Watford side at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s men are now the outright leaders, with just a point separating the reigning champions and closest challengers Liverpool. Meanwhile, Javi Gracia’s Watford head into the game in fantastic form and will hope to continue their pursuit of Europa League football.

Manchester City

The Sky Blues have been in tremendous form since the turn of the year. They have managed to win 16 out of their last 17 games in all competitions, lifting the Carabao Cup in process. One of their strengths this season has been their ability to find the back of the net. Guardiola’s men have scored 128 goals in all competitions so far this season in only 45 games. That means that they have scored at a rate of 2.8 goals per game. They have also scored the most goals in the Premier League so far this season and only second-placed Liverpool have conceded fewer; statistics that could potentially strike fear into any opponent. Another aspect that could bode extremely well is Manchester City’s excellent form at the Etihad Stadium. They have only lost one Premier League match at home so far this season; that solitary defeat coming at the hands of Crystal Palace. City won their last league game 1-0 away at AFC Bournemouth.

Team News

Guardiola could be missing a few key players for the match. Both John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne had to be withdrawn through injury against the Cherries and have been ruled out for the Watford clash. Fernandinho and Aymeric Laporte are also both restricted to the sidelines until at least the end of March. Long-term absentee Claudio Bravo also remains out of contention but Fabian Delph could return from an ankle injury.

Watford

Despite a tricky 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield a couple of weeks ago, Javi Gracia’s troops are actually in positive form. The Hornets are sitting in eighth in the Premier League table and are only behind Wolverhampton Wanderers on goal difference in the pursuit of seventh place and potential Europa League football. They won their last game in league action as they secured a late 2-1 victory against Leicester City at Vicarage Road. Since early December, Watford have only lost three out of their last 17 games in all competitions, a huge reason as to why they have managed to thrust themselves back into contention for European football. As a matter of fact, the Hornets have not lost consecutive league games since a loss to this weekend’s opponents Manchester City on the fourth of December. One aspect that could really count against them as they head to the Etihad however is their away record against the top-six. Watford have not won a match away from home against the so-called big-six since a 2-1 win over Arsenal back in January 2017.

Team News

Gracia has a relatively clean bill of health for the trip to the Etihad. Only Kiko Femenia is a slight doubt through illness but should be clear to feature.

Key Facts To Consider

• Manchester City have the far better all-time record between the two sides (W16, D5, L6)
• Watford have never beaten the Citizens in the Premier League
• The Hornets have not won away from home against Manchester City since April 1987
• Sergio Aguero has scored ten goals in his last six games against Watford
• The Citizens have not failed to score against Watford in a match since 2006

Conclusion

The omens all point to a Manchester City victory, and that is exactly what should occur at the Etihad Stadium. Sergio Aguero comes into the game in red-hot form and the Argentine should once again find the net in what should be a comfortable three points for Guardiola’s troops.

Prediction: Manchester City to win to nil

Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Bet365