Man City Line up Ahead Of Watford Clash With Pep Guardiola Missing Three First Team Stars

Following a rare full week without a game, Manchester City have the opportunity to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they face Watford on Saturday evening.

City currently have a one-point advantage over title rivals Liverpool but, as the Reds don't face Burnley until Sunday afternoon, that lead could be stretched to four points with a victory at the Etihad.

Watford currently sit eighth in the table, equal on points with Wolves on 43, and have developed into a tough team to beat, potent counter-attacking side under Javi Gracia.

With the threat, Watford can cause and the importance of leading the table it appears likely that Pep Guardiola will name as strong a side as possible against the Hornets, even with the Champions League last-16 second-leg against Schalke coming up on Tuesday.

Kevin de Bruyne was also struck with an injury against the Cherries, with the Belgian play-maker leaving the pitch in the first half clutching his hamstring and is not available against Watford.

Optimists may hope for Phil Foden to get his first Premier League start but it seems a lot more likely that Bernardo Silva will drop into midfield to play alongside Ilkay Gundogan and David Silva.

Man City v Watford Pre Match INSIGHTS

Man City have never lost a Premier League game against Watford (W7 D2), winning the last seven in a row by an aggregate score of 22-3.
In all competitions, Watford have lost their last nine meetings with Manchester City. They’ve only ever lost more consecutively against an opponent vs Man Utd (11 between 1987 and 2016).
Watford have lost 10 of their 11 away league matches against the reigning top-flight champions, drawing the other in December 2015 against Chelsea.
Manchester City have won nine of their last 10 Premier League games (L1), and are on the longest current winning run in the competition (5 games).
Man City have won 42 of the 45 points available to them in home games this season (W14 D0 L1), losing only against Crystal Palace in December.

Man City v Watford

Man City Line Up (4-3-3)