Watford vs Manchester City. Premier League.
Vicarage RoadAttendance20,305.
Saturday 16 September 2017 13:56, UK
Two in-form teams meet at Vicarage Road on Saturday as the season surprise package Watford host Manchester City.
City won the last meeting between the two 5-0 at Vicarage Road on the final day of the season, although Watford are a different animal now under Marco Silva.
Silva has overseen Watford's best unbeaten start to a top division season since 1951, including wins over Bournemouth and Southampton.
It's likely that Watford will be playing on the counter as City have averaged over 65 per cent possession in all five games in all competitions this season, including registering over 70 per cent of the ball in all three away games so far this season.
This possession-based game has seen City make a rip-roaring start to the campaign, winning three of their first four matches. Pep Guardiola's side hammered 10-man Liverpool 5-0 last weekend to move into second place in the Premier League.
Younes Kaboul, Sebastian Prodl and Craig Catchcart are all missing while Miguel Britos is suspended, meaning Watford have just three fit centre-backs in their ranks.
Mauro Zarate and Marvin Zeegelaar remain long-term absentees.
City captain Vincent Kompany, meanwhile, is back in training after a calf injury, but this weekend's game may come too soon for his return.
Goalkeeper Ederson should continue after coming through unscathed at Feyenoord in midweek on his return to action after suffering facial injuries against Liverpool.
Forward Raheem Sterling is back in domestic action after serving a one-game ban, but it remains to be seen if veteran midfielder Yaya Toure is involved after being overlooked for the past two games.
Watford have never beaten Manchester City in the Premier League, losing four of their six clashes (D2).
Watford are unbeaten in each of their first four league games of a top-flight season for the first time in their history. The last time the Hornets were unbeaten in their opening five games to a league season at any level was back in 2000-01 (Championship).
This is the first time that Watford have found themselves inside the top four of the English top-flight after the first four games of the campaign since September 1982 - a season where they finished second.
Watford have been trailing for just 33 minutes this season in the Premier League - only Huddersfield (18 mins) and Man Utd (2) have been behind for fewer minutes.
Manchester City have the worst disciplinary record so far this season in the Premier League, with a league-high 11 cards (nine yellow, two red). Watford have only been given a joint-league low three yellow cards in addition to a red card.
Watford have handed a Premier League appearance to players of 15 different nationalities this season; a wider spread than any other team in the competition.
Sergio Aguero has been involved in seven goals in four previous appearances against the Hornets in all competitions (six goals, one assist), including a hat-trick in an FA Cup match in January 2014.
I can't see anything other than a Manchester City win. They blew Feyenoord away in midweek. Watford have had some good results but they are not free-scoring and I don't know how they are going to live with City's pace and movement for 90 minutes.
City didn't come out of first gear on Wednesday. It was a training session. It's only an hour flight home and I don't see a problem for them playing on Wednesday and then Saturday. There can't be any excuses.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Manchester City are Sky Bet's 4/11 favourites for the victory with Watford up against odds of 7/1 to win and 4/1 just to secure a draw. Pep Guardiola's men were shortened to 11/10 to win the Premier League following last weekend's mauling of Liverpool, while the Hornets' fine start has seen them drift out to 6/1 to face relegation.
Sky Bet find it impossible to pick a favourite from Aguero and Gabriel Jesus at the head of the first goalscorer betting, with the pair both priced at 11/4, while Andre Gray is considered the visitors' main threat at 9/1 to net first.
Watford v Man City is included in this weekend's Super 6 line-up, with £250,000 up for grabs again following last weekend's £1million giveaway. Enter your predictions for free here.
