Man City vs Watford Match Preview: Team news, predicted lineups, predictions & H2H
Man City vs Watford Match Preview: Team news, predicted lineups, predictions & H2H. Manchester City take on Championship side Watford today at the Etihad in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
The Cityzens managed to grab a point last time out in the premier league, thanks to a John Stones‘ strike in their thrilling bout against a dogged Arsenal side on Sunday.
The Carabao Cup was once dominated by the perennial Premier League winners, but they’ve endured early exits in each of the previous three seasons.
They’ll be hoping to stroll to victory in midweek and advance into the fourth round, but Watford look set to exceed expectations in the second tier and may give the hosts a few things to think about.
The Hornets currently sit eighth in the Championship after an excellent start, but they have gone off the boil in recent outings, and were thrashed away at Norwich on Saturday.
Here’s our guide to Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash at the Etihad.
What time does Man City vs Watford kick-off?
Location: Manchester, England
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Date: Tuesday 24 September
Kick-off Time: 19:45 GMT / 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT
Referee: David Webb
VAR: N/A
Man City vs Watford H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Man City: 5 wins
Watford: 0 wins
Draws: 0
Last meeting: Man City 5-1 Watford (23 April 2022) – Premier League
Man City team news
With City’s schedule condensing, Guardiola will make wholesale changes to his starting XI for Watford’s visit. The Spaniard should combine experience with youth.
Rodri was unlikely to start on Tuesday anyway, but the knee injury he sustained on Sunday in the draw with Arsenal looks to have ruled him out for the rest of the season. Kevin De Bruyne also won’t be risked after missing the weekend, but the Belgian is set to return to the fold soon.
Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake are also sidelined, due to injuries.
There should be starts for Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, with Nico O’Reilly among the academy stars set to earn a place in Guardiola’s XI for this cup tie.
Man City predicted lineup vs Watford
Man City predicted lineup vs Watford (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Simpson-Pusey, Wilson-Esbrand; Nunes, Wright; O’Reilly, McAtee, Grealish; Foden.
Watford team news
Doubts remain over the severity of the injuries sustained by goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann and centre-back Francisco Sierralta in the first half of Watford’s 4-1 defeat to Norwich at the weekend. Neither will be expected to feature at the Etihad, however.
Kevin Keben misses out due to a knee injury, while Daniel Jebbison has already featured in the competition for Bournemouth this season and is cup-tied on Tuesday.
Watford predicted lineup vs Man City
Watford predicted lineup vs Man City (3-4-2-1): Bond; Morris, Pollock, Porteous; Andrews, Dele-Bashiru, Sissoko, Sema; Chakvetadze, Baah; Bayo.
Man City vs Watford score prediction
City have struggled in back-to-back games against tightly-packed defences, but Watford have their work cut out if they’re to match the defensive discipline shown by Inter and Arsenal.
The hosts are seemingly always vulnerable in Rodri’s absence and Watford will fancy their chances of at least having a couple of moments in Tuesday’s cup tie. City have kept just one clean sheet since the opening weekend of the season.
The Hornets may make this one more competitive than many are projecting, but City just don’t lose at the Etihad.
Prediction: Man City 3-0 Watford
