Man City vs Watford
Premier League 2018-19
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Date: Saturday, 9 March, 2019
Kick-off: 5:30pm GMT
Manchester City are looking to put pressure on Premier League title rivals Liverpool when they take on Watford on Saturday evening.
Man City's 1-0 win at Bournemouth, coupled with Liverpool's Merseyside derby slatemate at Everton, have seen Pep Guardiola's champions reclaim top spot with just nine games to go.
Liverpool are just a point behind City in the table, but can extend that to four on Saturday if they beat Watford. Such a result will leave Liverpool needing to beat Burnley at Anfield on Sunday.
Man City vs Watford team news and predicted line-ups
City face another centre-back problem with Aymeric Laporte (thigh) and John Stones (muscle) both ruled out.
Fernandinho (ankle), Kevin De Bruyne (thigh) and Claudio Bravo (calf) are all out, though Fabian Delph may return from an ankle injury.
Guardiola will also have to juggle his squad ahead of their Champions League last-16 second leg against Schalke on Tuesday night.
Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Zinchenko, Gundogan, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Aguero, Sterling, Sane
Watford can welcome back Kiko Femenia and Sebastian Prodl. Femenia missed the win over Leicester through illness and Prodl has recovered from knee and hamstring injuries.
It means boss Javi Gracia has a fully-fit squad to choose from against the leaders.
Watford XI: Foster, Janmaat, Mariappa, Cathcart, Jolebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney
Score prediction: Man City 3-1 Watford
Watford have won three of their last five games to sit eighth in the table, though Man City have won their last five League outings to retake top spot.
The Hornets will certainly test Guardiola's side, but City seem focused and their Catalan coach will surely not allow them to slip up at home.
Man City vs Watford tickets
For ticket information, click here to head to the Man City website.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Man City: 2/13
- Draw: 17/2
- Watford: 20/1
First goalscorer odds
- Sergio Aguero: 23/10
- Raheem Sterling: 4/1
- Leroy Sane: 5/1
- Troy Deeney: 13/1
- Roberto Pereyra: 25/1
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 4K UHD. BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
You can follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Watford are yet to beat Man City in the Premier League, with City winning seven of their nine meetings.
Guardiola's side beat Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road in December, and have won the last seven in a row vs the Hornets.
