Manchester City host newly-promoted Watford in this Saturday’s Premier League encounter hoping to maintain their 100% start to the new season.
City have already defeated West Brom, Chelsea and Everton so far this campaign without reply to cement themselves two points clear at the top of the Premier League at this early stage. However, it is easy to forget that this weekend’s opponents Watford are unbeaten themselves, picking up three draws against Everton, West Brom and Southampton, so they will certainly be no pushovers for a high-scoring City side looking to add to their healthy tally of nine points.
The last time these two teams met was in the FA Cup back in January 2014, a game in which then-Championship side Watford lead 2-0 before a hat-trick from Sergio Aguero helped City to a 4-2 win at The Etihad. But in the
league, the stats do not seem to be in City’s favour, with Watford winning five to City’s four of the last twelve encounters between the sides. In fact, the last corresponding meeting between City and the Hornets ended in a goalless draw back in December 2006 at the Etihad Stadium. Games have never been easy
for City against Watford in recent times so expect a rather tricky encounter this Saturday.
In terms of team news, City have more or less a full strength team to choose from, however they are missing two key players in the form of Pablo Zabaleta and Wilfried Bony. Zabaleta is still out for a few more weeks with a knee injury, and Bony was pictured on Instagram on Friday morning on crutches, showing that the Ivorian may well be out for a number of months himself with a suspected foot injury. Expect City youngster Kelechi to be given the chance to impress from the bench in this weekend’s fixture.
Watford have two players missing for the trip to The Etihad, with Miguel Britos and Joel Ekstrand suspended and injured respectively.
Interesting match fact: City have won 14 and lost just one of their last 18 league home matches, winning the last eight in a row.
Look out for some pre and post-match content on this weekend’s game by checking out the site and twitter, @ReadManCity.
