An injury-plagued Manchester City have travelled to the Vicarage Road and will face a Watford side who will be looking to avoid a third consecutive pasting at the hands of the same opponents.
The Champions are again showing the way this season and have looked even better than last season at times. But this time around, the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are in top form and City need to go that extra bit this campaign if they are to retain the Premier League title.
But the signs are ominous and barring any sudden downturn in form, the Sky Blues will remain the team to beat even in 2019.
Their opponents today, Watford, are currently in the 10th position but can move up to 6th if a number of results go their way, along with their own match of course. The Hornets are currently on a 4-match winless streak and will want to end it sooner rather than later.
MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS
Sergio Aguero and Zinchenko are major doubts and are unlikely to take any part. Benjamin Mendy, Kevin de Bruyne, Claudio Bravo and Eliaquim Mangala are long-term absentees.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY LINEUP VS WATFORD (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Ederson will start in goal. He failed to keep a clean sheet against Bournemouth but will be eager to shut out the Watford attack tonight.
Kyle Walker is likely to return having sat out against the Cherries. John Stones also had a deserved rest and should start alongside the ever-present Aymeric Laporte in central defence. Pep will surely be looking at a possible opportunity to give the Frenchman a rest but it is unlikely to be today. On the left, Fabian Delph is expected to line up in place of Zinchenko who is likely to miss the clash.
MIDFIELD
Pep has been speaking of a possible rest for Fernandinho. And with Ilkay Gundogan in a good rhythm, he might take the call to start the German in a slightly withdrawn role in central midfield.
David Silva did not start on Saturday and is in line to play from the beginning. Bernardo Silva continued his fantastic form and should complete the 3-man midfield.
ATTACK
Leroy Sane has been playing non-stop for quite a while now but we do not see that changing. The German speedster should take up the left-flank. On the right, we are backing Riyad Mahrez for a start in place of Raheem Sterling.
Gabriel Jesus will lead the line. The Brazilian international hasn’t been scoring but Pep has praised his work rate and overall contribution leading up to tonight’s fixture.
