Stones, Laporte, Fernandinho and De Bruyne unavailable for Hornets clash
Manchester City vs Watford
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 5.30pm, Saturday 9th March 2019
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: Paul Tierney Assistants: A Holmes, E Smart Fourth Official: C Kavanagh
Odds: City 1/6, Draw 8/1, Watford 18/1
Tickets: On sale via tickets.mancity.com
TV: BT Sport
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Grimshaw, Muric, Danilo, Kompany, Mendy, Otamendi, Sandler, Walker, Zinchenko, Delph, Foden, Gundogan, Mahrez, Sane, B Silva, D Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Jesus
Injured: De Bruyne, Stones, Fernandinho, Laporte
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWDWW
Watford
Manager: Javi Gracia
Squad (from): Gomes, Foster, Dahlberg, Janmaat, Britos, Prodl, Mariappa, Masina, Cathcart, Femenia, Navarro, Holebas, Kabasele, Cleverly, Sema, Chalobah, Doucoure, Hughes, Quina, Capoue, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney, Success, Penaranda, Gray
Injured: None
Doubtful: Femenia
Suspended: None
Form guide: WWWLW
John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne will all miss the visit of Watford through injury. Laporte has returned to training, but manager Pep Guardiola confirmed in Friday's press conference that he won't be risked. Guardiola, meanwhile, was fulsome in his praise of his opposite number, who has guided the Hornets to eight place in the Premier League.
"It’s one of our toughest of the nine games left. Quality one against one.
"The manager is incredible, Javi Gracia, with what he has done, they achieve a lot of points.
"But it’s the last game before 21 days without Premier League and the international break.
"It’s a few games before end of Premier League and it’s massive for us to take our points."
City's last home game against Watford ended in a 3-1 victory, with Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero scoring for the Blues, along with an own goal from Christian Kabasele. Overall City have won 16 of the 27 games played against Watford, with 5 draws and 6 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Danilo, Kompany, Otamendi, Gundogan, D Silva, B Silva, Sterling, Mahrez, Aguero
Score prediction: Manchester City 2 Watford 1