MX23RW : Monday, March 11 14:36:28
Mar 9, 2019 at 5.30pm UK at ​Etihad Stadium
Attendance: 54,104
Man CityManchester City
3-1
Watford
Sterling (46', 50', 59')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Deulofeu (66')

How Manchester City could line up against Watford

Sports Mole looks at how Premier League leaders Manchester City could line up against Watford as Pep Guardiola contends with the absences of some key players.

The next chapter of the thrilling 2018-19 Premier League title race takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as Manchester City host Watford knowing that victory would take them four points clear at the top.

With Liverpool not in action until Sunday, the champions have the chance to steal a march on their chief challengers by recording a sixth straight league win as the end of the campaign begins to come into view.

The quadruple-chasers have had the rare treat of a week off since their last match, although Pep Guardiola must still contend with injuries to some key players.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how he could set his side up for the contest.



Possible MNC XI vs. WAT

Out: Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring), Fernandinho (groin), Aymeric Laporte (muscle), Claudio Bravo (Achilles)
Doubtful: John Stones (muscle), Fabian Delph (ankle)

> Click here for Man City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Fernandinho and Aymeric Laporte are both unlikely to feature before the international break, while Kevin De Bruyne is also struggling with a hamstring injury, leaving Guardiola needing to call on some his enviable strength in depth.

Trusted forward Bernardo Silva is likely to drop back into a midfield three alongside Ilkay Gundogan and David Silva, which could in turn pave the way for Leroy Sane to return up front - although Riyad Mahrez may also be hopeful of a start having scored the winner last time out.

Fabian Delph is expected to be available, but Oleksandr Zinchenko has impressed in recent weeks and so should retain his spot at left-back, while Vincent Kompany may be needed at the heart of the defence if John Stones fails to recover from his muscle problem.

Premier League top-scorer Sergio Aguero will lead the line having netted 10 times in just six previous appearances against Watford - his best strike ratio against any club.

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Who will win Saturday's Premier League meeting between Manchester City and Watford?

Manchester City
Draw
Watford
Manchester City
66.7%
Draw
8.3%
Watford
25.0%
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola watches on during the EFL Cup final against Chelsea on February 24, 2019
Read Next:
Man City injury, suspension list vs. Watford
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City30242479215874
2Liverpool30227168175173
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs30201957322561
4Arsenal30186663392460
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd30177658401858
6Chelsea29176650311957
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves30128103836244
8Watford30127114244-243
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham30116133743-639
10Leicester CityLeicester30115143842-438
11Everton30107134142-137
12Bournemouth30114154154-1337
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3097142938-934
14Crystal Palace3096153641-533
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2996143242-1033
16Southampton3079143450-1630
17Burnley3086163457-2330
18Cardiff CityCardiff3084182757-3028
19Fulham3045212868-4017
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield3035221553-3814

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