Manchester City vs Watford preview: Mendy misses out, but Fernandinho is available

By Ric Turner, Fri 17 May 2019 14:52


Manchester City vs Watford preview: Mendy misses out, but Fernandinho is availableBlues could become first English team to complete domestic treble by beating Hornets

Manchester City vs Watford

Competition: F.A. Cup Final

Date: 5.30pm, Saturday 18th May 2019

Venue: Wembley Stadium, London

Referee: Kevin Friend Assistants: C Hatzidakis, M Wilkes Fourth Official: G Scott

Odds: City 2/9, Draw 5/1, Watford 12/1. View more betting odds.

Tickets: Sold out

TV: BBC, BT Sport

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Grimshaw, Muric, Danilo, Kompany, Laporte, Otamendi, Stones, Walker, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Delph, Fernandinho, Foden, Gundogan, Mahrez, Sane, B Silva, D Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Jesus

Injured: Mendy, Bravo

Doubtful: Fernandinho

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWWWW

Watford

Manager: Javi Gracia

Squad (from): Gomes, Foster, Dahlberg, Janmaat, Britos, Mariappa, Masina, Cathcart, Femenia, Navarro, Holebas, Kabasele, Cleverly, Sema, Chalobah, Doucoure, Hughes, Capoue, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney, Success, Penaranda, Gray

Injured: Prodl, Quina

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: WDLLL

Benjamin Mendy has not recovered from a knee injury and misses the FA Cup final, but Fernandinho could be available for selection. Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that the Brazilian midfielder has trained for the last two days, and is in contention. City could become the first team in English history to complete the domestic treble by beating Watford, but Guardiola warned his players against any complacency ahead of the game.

“We won the most incredible Premier League ever, in terms of results and competitors. We are incredibly satisfied.

"We celebrated for a short time and were back to business in the last few days to focus on Watford because I know how difficult it was in the home game.

“We spoke about the players and hopefully we can be focused for one more day to compete again to be champions.”

City's last home game against Watford ended in a 3-1 victory, with Raheem Sterling netting a hattrick for the Blues. Overall City have won 17 of the 28 games played against Watford, with 5 draws and 6 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko, Gundogan, D Silva, De Bruyne, B Silva, Sterling, Aguero

Score prediction: Manchester City 3 Watford 1