The Hornets will be looking to bounce back from their disheartening loss to Tottenham as they welcome Manchester City to Vicarage Road for what is sure to be an exciting encounter.
Watford have been quite impressive in the League this season as they’ve held their own against a number of relatively bigger sides including the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, with the result against the Reds being an unbelievable spectacle.
With the January transfer window already upon us, Watford will have to make extra efforts to hold on to their key players as the likes of Ighalo and Abdi are expected to become the subject of multiple bids in the coming weeks.
Despite the home side’s luck in the League, Quique Flores has stressed that Watford’s main ambition for this season remains the same; to avoid relegation.
Watford have faced Manchester City on 13 occasions, and both teams have recorded five wins each although Watford have not won against the Citizens in their last eight meetings.
But in a season such as this where the unlikeliest of teams seem to be giving the bigger sides a run for their money, we could witness a huge upset at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
Manchester City don’t look the part at the moment, and their title credentials seem to be fading as each matchday goes by with the likes of Arsenal and Leicester City leading the charge.
Manchester City can boast of the best home record in the League this term with eight wins out of 10 but their away form has been nothing short of dreadful, considering how much quality they have in their squad.
City have won just three out of the nine away games they’ve played this season, and they’ll be looking to change their fortunes on the road against a tough opposition.
This game is expected to be an action-packed thriller as both sides possess quality players who can quickly change the game with one moment of individual brilliance.
TEAM NEWS:
Watford will be without the services of Nathan Ake, who was sent off in their last Premier League outing against Tottenham Hotspur.
Jose Holebas is expected to come into the side to replace the Chelsea loanee.
Elsewhere there are not expected to be too many changes in Watford’s lineup, with the dynamic duo of Ighalo and Deeney, set to feature up front once again.
As for Man City, Pellegrini has revealed that Gael Clichy will miss out with “a slight problem” and the full-back will join Kompany and Samir Nasri on the sidelines.
Aguero is expected to get the nod ahead of Wilfried Bony as the Argentine superstar is fully fit and ready to hit the ground running.
PREDICTED LINEUPS:
Watford: Gomes; Anya, Cathcart, Britos, Holebas; Jurado, Capoue, Behrami, Abdi; Deeney, Ighalo
Man City: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov; Toure, Fernandinho; De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Aguero
