Manchester City vs Watford Preview

League Cup - Third Round

This week's a short turnaround for Manchester City as they welcome Watford to the Etihad on Tuesday night. It's likely that Pep Guardiola heavily rotates the side we saw against Arsenal. For Watford, it might be worth them saving some key players for the league fixture to come given recent results and injuries. They’ve not won a match in September and welcome Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.

Here is how City looks heading into the match with Erling Haaland in incredible form but against Watford we will see what the City backup plan is without him. Top of the Premier League after five matches and after Watford, City travel to Newcastle on Saturday.

Confirmation that Erling Haaland will not be playing or on the bench against Watford. City will need to implement a setup without him to win the match.

Previous Results

• Manchester City sit top of the Premier League having not lost a single match this season, drawing their last two games against Inter Milan (H, 1-1) and Arsenal (H, 2-2).

• Watford have not won a match in September, losing to Sheffield United (A, 1-0), drawing against Coventry (H, 1-1), and losing against Norwich City (A, 4-1). They sit 8th in the Championship after six games played.

Notable Injuries:

• Manchester City are without Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb. Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri are expected to miss the match but a return date is not yet confirmed for either.

• Watford will likely be without Daniel Bachmann, Francisco Sierralta, and Kevin Keben. Daniel Jebbison will miss due to being cup-tied.

Watford Setup

Last weekend Watford lost heavily to Norwich City thanks to a goal and an assist from a certain Callum Doyle. The final score was 4-1 and left Watford without a win in September.  

This is the team that Watford put out, continuing to use a back three as they have done all season so far but within the first fifteen minutes, they lost Bachmann and Sierralta to injury. Their first-choice goalkeeper and CCB. Arguably their best box defender in Sierralta.

Cleverley took after at the end of last season as caretaker manager, finishing the season with two wins, three defeats, and five draws during his time as caretaker. Not particularly impressive with results or performances on the pitch but he did stop the rot. Watford before him taking over lost five of their last seven matches.

My guess is Watford will rotate to focus on the league form, they desperately need a win on Saturday but given the volume of changes City are forced to make, they might just have a chance to do something.

They also lost Yaser Asprilla this summer to Girona, last season the talented Columbian put up 6 goals and 7 assists in the Championship for Watford. Now it’s Chakvetedze that City will have to watch out for as their main threat.

Manchester City Setup

We are going to find out just who Guardiola rates in the EDS team but looking at the minutes played by senior players, there is still enough of them there to field a strong team against Watford. Stefan Ortega is an exceptional backup keeper. John Stones, Rico Lewis, and Jack Grealish should all be fit to start. Very useful opportunity to get Foden 90 minutes before the match against Newcastle next Saturday.

All three of O’Reilly, McAtee, and Nunes need to pick up a healthy amount of minutes in this match if they want to force their way up the pecking order. If Ake was fit he would have come in for Gvardiol so Wilson-Esbrand has a chance to impress against Watford, giving Grealish an overlapping full-back.

Final Predictions

Ones to Watch: 

Manchester City's key player to watch is James McAtee who is just waiting for the minutes to shine. With recent injuries to Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri, there is an opening for him should he impress in the League Cup fixture. Technically gifted, exceptional in the pockets, and has good movement into the box with his late runs. Could be exactly what City needs to break down a Watford back five.

Watford’s key player to watch is Chakvetadze, a technically gifted attacking midfielder from Georgia, superb at carrying the ball and driving into advanced positions. One goal and four assists for Watford last season in 14 starts. This season he’s got one goal and two assists in his first six starts. Most progressive carries and passes for the team this season. Leads the Championship for key passes (19) and shot-creating actions (35).

Predicted Lineup:

Predicted Score: Manchester City 3-0 Watford

Other

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