TEAM NEWS
Tom Cleverley, who has not played since January, and Sebastian Prodl are also fit again, while Watford has appealed against Etienne Capoue’s red card.
Watford defender Daryl Janmaat may feature for the first time in 10 weeks after recovering from knee surgery.
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero is a major doubt, with Pep Guardiola saying the forward could be out for a month if he aggravates a muscle problem.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has a nose injury and will be assessed. Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is not yet fit to return from damaged knee ligaments.
MOTD COMMENTATOR’S NOTES
@SteveBowerComm: After Saturday’s win against Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola told me that he likes to win when his team aren’t at their best. He described their first half as flat; Watford must hope it continues.
City didn’t get out of second gear as they now face the second of 13 matches in 44 days, a mental test as well as a physical one.
The champions have shown their spirit as well as their flair, and Watford must be back to their very best to ask them serious questions.
Javi Gracia’s team have won only two of their last 10 matches and now face a side who have beaten them in eight successive games.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT
Watford head coach Javi Gracia: “Nothing is impossible. You always have chances, and we want to take advantage of the chances we have.
“Everybody knows it’s difficult to get a good result against City, but they have drawn twice this season – maybe we are able to be the first getting a victory. You never know.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola demands more of in-form Raheem Sterling: “He can do better. We are so delighted with what he’s done in three years but he can do better.
“He can be more consistent – first controls, his receptions, many, many things. I’ve said many times we are delighted but he can do better.”
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
Watford’s form is not a serious cause for concern, although I am not expecting them to improve it on Tuesday. Like most teams, the problem they will have against Manchester City is securing enough of the ball.
Prediction: 0-2
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Manchester City are on an eight-match winning streak against Watford in all competitions.
- The Hornets have failed to win this fixture in 13 attempts since a second-tier victory at home in March 1989 (D2, L11).
Watford
- The Hornets have lost three of their last four home league games, as many defeats as they suffered in their previous 15 at Vicarage Road (W8, D4).
- Watford won their first four Premier League games this season but have only claimed two victories in their subsequent 10 league fixtures (D2, L6).
- They have only scored eight goals in those 10 games.
- Watford could lose three Premier League matches in a row for the first time under Javi Gracia.
- Defeat on Tuesday would leave them with their lowest points tally after 15 matches in four seasons since they returned to the top flight.
Manchester City
- City has registered six successive league wins and are unbeaten in 20 top-flight games (W17, D3).
- The reigning champions could equal the club top-flight record of 14 consecutive away matches without defeat, set from April to December 2017.
- They have yet to concede in the final half hour of a Premier League game this season, scoring 13 times themselves in that period.
- Manchester City has equalled the club league record of four consecutive away clean sheets, set from March to April 1903 in the second tier.
- The only away league goal conceded by City this season was scored by Wolves’ Willy Boly with the aid of his hand in August.
- Nicolas Otamendi’s next Premier League appearance will be his 100th.
Source: BBC News
