HomeFeatured ArticlesManchester City vs. Watford Preview | Team News, Stats & Key Men

Manchester City vs. Watford Preview | Team News, Stats & Key Men

On Saturday Manchester City will play host to Watford at the Etihad for what will be only the third Premier League meeting between the two sides. Manchester City head into the game after a stellar start to the season, unbeaten in their first 3 games of the season without conceding yet. Their performances have already led most to crown them champions-elect as they appear to have their swagger back from their last title winning campaign. Meanwhile the visitors, newly promoted Watford, have had a quiet start to the season. The Hornets have drawn all their games so far without conceding in either of their last 2 fixtures. It is hard to judge Enrique Sanchez Flores’ team at this point and any judgement of their survival chances aren’t going to come from an away trip to the Etihad. Manchester City will be looking to continue their impressive start and truly lay down the marker to all those behind. For Watford these are the types of games they wanted promotion to the Premier League for. It is an opportunity for their players to play against the league’s top talents and hopefully make a name for them self.

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Team News

The home side will have to continue with Vice-captain Pablo Zabaleta for another 3 weeks as the Argentine right-back is still out injured. Bacary Sagna as proved a more than able stand-in for the City mainstay. Although reports state that City are close to agreeing a deal for Kevin De Bruyne it would not be in time for him to be involved in the Watford game on Saturday.

The only names on Watford’s injury list are Lloyd Doyley and Joel Ekstrand. Watford may make a few changes to the side for a visit to the Etihad. You would expect them to take a more defensive approach than they may have in their previous Premier League fixtures.

Statistics

  • There have only been two Premier League meetings between Manchester City and Watford.
  • Both fixtures ended in a draw.
  • December 2006 was the last time the two teams had a league game in Manchester. It ended 0-0
  • The only other Premier League meeting was a 1-1 draw at Vicarage road.
  • Remarkably, Manchester City and Watford have only played each other 16 times in their clubs histories.
  • Their last two matches have been FA cup matches at the Etihad. Manchester City ran out comfortable winners on both occasions.
  • Watford haven’t beaten Manchester City since 1989.
  • The last time they won away at City was April 1987.

Comparisons

Top Goalscorers 2014/15

Manchester City: Sergio Aguero (26), David Silva (12), Yaya Toure (10)

Watford: Troy Deeney (21), Odion Ighalo (20), Matej Vydra (16)

Chances Created 2014/15

Manchester City: David Silva (93), Jesus Navas (79), Samir Nasri (52)

Watford: Daniel Tozser (72), Matej Vydra (68), Troy Deeney (63)

Avg, Defensive Actions 2014/15

Manchester City: Eliaquim Mangala (8), Martin Demichelis (8), Gael Clichy (8)

Watford: Gabriele Angella (9), Joel Ekstrand (8), Craig Cathcart (8)

Key Players

Manchester City: David Silva

David Silva has started the new season in fine form. With a goal and 3 assists already to his name, he has played a big part in making City look a dominant force again. With the signing of Raheem Sterling giving City’s line up two clear wingers, he and Navas allows Silva to play in his favoured position off the striker. On his day it is hard to debate that David Silva is one of the best number 10s in the game. His comfort with the ball at his feet and ability to manipulate by defender or slip a through ball makes him a devastating threat to most defences. City look like they have got their swagger back and with Silva at his brilliant best in the middle of the pitch and Aguero in front of him they will prove an ominous task for most teams like they did the season before last. It will be a tough day for the Watford players trying to keep Silva quiet. Right now I imagine City smell blood and I would expect Silva to go for the jugular on Saturday.

Watford: Troy Deeney

For the past two Championship seasons Troy Deeney has been Watford’s main attacking threat. The striker netted 21 goals last season on their road to promotion. Like the other promoted sides, Watford seem to have nailed their hopes on Deeney being able to continue the goalscoring form he had in Championship in the Premier League. Not an easy task. If teams like Watford expect to get anything from a game at the Etihad they will need to take what little chances they may create on the day. That puts big pressure on Deeney to deliver. If their defence is able to withstand the extensive pressure City’s attack with apply to them, it will be Deeney who needs to hold up his end and find the net for his side. It will be a big test for Deeney playing against a defender like Vincent Kompany is no easy task. However, should he be able to score the opener of the game and his season away at the Etihad that could be the kind of confidence boost he needs to find his shooting boots for the rest of Watford’s survival effort.

Prediction

I cannot see past Manchester City beating Watford and continuing their impressive start to the season.

4-0 City win

You can back a Manchester City win @ 1.20 with Bwin

If you are feeling lucky you can get odds of 13/2 on a draw with BetVictor

If that isn’t enough for you there are odds of 12/1 on a Watford win with BetVictor

Joshua Smith
Joshua Smithhttp://www.writerjsmith.com
Avid football fan and keen writer with a flair for expression and an opinion to share.
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