Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Man City v Watford preview: Pep Guardiola's side seek response

Manchester City haven
Manchester City haven't won at home in the Premier League since beating Bournemouth 4-0 on September 17

Manchester City will be aiming to bounce back from their shock defeat at Leicester when they host Watford on Wednesday.

City conceded three times in the opening 20 minutes on their way to a 4-2 loss against the Premier League champions on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola said afterwards that he "doesn't train tackles", but acknowledged his side need to improve defensively.

"I realised to control the games we must concede less goals and here I cannot do that. So I have to analyse why," he commented.

Premier League Goals!

Watch goals from all midweek PL games __with the Sky Sports Football Score Centre app

Watford conceded twice against Everton at the weekend but still came away __with a 3-2 victory.

While head coach Walter Mazzarri said he was "surprised" by the manner of City's defeat at Leicester, he added: "In Italy we have a saying: 'Each game has its own story.' That result won't help us.

Six months half price

Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get six months half price!

"We will find Manchester City very angry and concentrated, we won't have the luck that they will underestimate us."

Team news

City will be without suspended duo Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho while defender Vincent Kompany is out with injury.

Watch Wednesday
Watch Wednesday's Premier League preview, including Manchester City v Watford

Watford will have midfielder Roberto Pereyra back from suspension while defender Younes Kaboul continues to be assessed on a calf strain and Valon Behrami is still recovering from illness.

Craig Cathcart remains sidelined with a groin problem, but Mazzarri is hopeful the defender could be back in contention before Christmas.

Pep Guardiola was unaware of who former England striker Stan Collymore is when asked about him in a news conference
Pep Guardiola was unaware of who former England striker Stan Collymore is when asked about him in a news conference

Match stats

Manchester City are unbeaten in four previous Premier League games against Watford, winning both fixtures against them last season (W2 D2 L0).

The Hornets didn't manage a single shot on target in their Premier League meeting with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last season.

Watch highlights of Man City
Watch highlights of Man City's 4-2 defeat at Leicester on Saturday evening

All seven of the previous goals scored in this fixture in the Premier League have arrived after half-time.

Watford's last league win over Manchester City came in a second tier clash in March 1989 (D2 L4 since).

Pep Guardiola has seen his side concede three or more goals in consecutive league games for the very first time as a manager.

Watford beat Everton 3-2 on Saturday
Watford beat Everton 3-2 on Saturday

Guardiola has only lost three successive league games as a manager once before - this was in May 2015 as Bayern Munich boss (vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen, FC Augsburg and Sport-Club Freiburg).

Watford have conceded nine goals and allowed their opponents 20 shots on target in their last two Premier League away matches.

Guardiola talks about his time so far at the Etihad
Guardiola talks about his time so far at the Etihad

Paul Merson's prediction

I just don't know with Man City. I expect them to win every game but they don't really know what they are doing. For too many years the manager has put teams out there - like Barcelona with Messi and Bayern having just won the treble - and not had to do much. He comes here and it's difficult.

I would expect them to beat Watford. They have to win. If Man City don't win this game they are struggling to be in the top four let alone win the league. At the moment they just don't look anywhere near. They have a goalkeeper who can't make a save.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)

Guardiola responded to criticism of Man City
Guardiola responded to criticism of Man City's style of play after their 4-2 defeat at Leicester

Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get six months half price

Man City vs Arsenal

December 18, 2016, 3:30pm

Live on Sky Sports 1 HD

Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass