Manchester City will be looking to keep their pace in the title race when they visit surprise package Watford on Saturday. The Citizens are currently third in the league table, three points behind leaders Arsenal and second-placed Leicester City. Newly-promoted Watford are surprisingly ninth after the first half of the season, just two points away from fifth spot. The two teams have met 13 times before in the league and both sides have recorded five victories. Manchester City have not lost to the Hornets in the last eight direct clashes and won the last three. The reverse fixture this season was won by Manchester United 2-0.
Watford have grabbed 29 points in the first half of the season and ended 2015 with a 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Boxing Day and a 2-1 defeat against Tottenham in the last match of the year. That was the first defeat for the Hornets since November 21, when they were beaten at home by Manchester United. Full-back Nathan Ake will miss out through suspension after being sent off against Tottenham, he will be replaced by Jose Holebas. Valon Behrami should be given a starting berth this time.
Manchester City have recovered from the defeat against Arsenal before Christmas with a 4-1 over Sunderland on Boxing Day and a goalless draw at Leicester City to wrap up 2015. They have the best home record in the league so far but their away form has been disappointing, with three wins, three draws and as many losses. Captain Vincent Kompany picked up yet another injury and will be out for up to one month. Gael Clichy will also miss out while Samir Nasri remains on the injured list at least until February.
Probable line-ups:
Watford: Gomes - Anya, Cathcart, Britos, Holebas - Jurado, Capoue, Behrami, Abdi - Deeney, Ighalo
Man City: Hart - Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov - Toure, Fernandinho - De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling - Aguero
My prediction: Man City to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Watford win - 5.00 Draw - 4.00 Man City win - 1.75
Shumar4life
9 years ago
Full Member
City must wins this kind of matches if they want to win the title, but at the half time they aren't looking very good. If they want to win this match they will need to create more chances through wings, and maintain good position, but it will be very hard for them because Watford is playing very good organized defense....
City must wins this kind of matches if they want to win the title, but at the half time they aren't looking very good. If they want to win this match they will need to create more chances through wings, and maintain good position, but it will be very hard for them because Watford is playing very good organized defense.
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advoghado
9 years ago
Hero Member
I have a hunch that this game will have over 2, 5 goals, I think that the absence of Nathan Ake will be felt by team Waterford, and will hardly be able to hold the attack the Manchester City, who comes from a very good series games. The retrospect of Manchester City against Watford is far superior, do not lose a game in...
I have a hunch that this game will have over 2, 5 goals, I think that the absence of Nathan Ake will be felt by team Waterford, and will hardly be able to hold the attack the Manchester City, who comes from a very good series games. The retrospect of Manchester City against Watford is far superior, do not lose a game in a long time, and today the City need to win to touch the leaders, and continue the good form of the team.
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sharpe
9 years ago
Super Hero
Watford is maybe the second biggest surprise in Premier League this season after Leicester of course, and recently they've had some really impressive performances against Liverpool and Chelsea. But this time they will face Man City who are really much better at home in the season so far and I just don't see any hope for...
Watford is maybe the second biggest surprise in Premier League this season after Leicester of course, and recently they've had some really impressive performances against Liverpool and Chelsea. But this time they will face Man City who are really much better at home in the season so far and I just don't see any hope for the London team in this one. My prediction 4-1.
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