Watford VS Manchester City Match Prediction

  • Logo2020-07-21
  • Logo17:00:00
Watford
VS
Manchester City

Our Prediction Tip

Manchester City will win this match.

The 8-0 win at the Etihad in September was Manchester City’s biggest win in this fixture, but it was just the latest in a long line of thrashings they have handed out to Watford. That includes their 6-0 win in last season’s FA Cup Final that sealed their unprecedented domestic treble too. City were 5-0 up inside 18 minutes when they last met – David Sila, Sergio Aguero, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Nicolas Otamendi all getting on the scoresheet. Bernardo Silva then completed a hat-trick with two more goals after the break and Kevin de Bruyne put the seal on a phenomenal victory. Here are the results of the last five matches:

Sep 21, 2019: Manchester City 8-0 Watford
May 18, 2019: Manchester City 6-0 Watford
Mar 09, 2019: Manchester City 3-1 Watford
Dec 04, 2018: Watford 1-2 Manchester City
Jan 02, 2018: Manchester City 3-1 Watford

Watford vs Manchester City Betting Tips

Neither side, in truth, expected to be going into this match in the manner they are.

Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final defeat – ending their run of domestic cup successes – will have stung, particularly because of the lack of meaningful chances they created.

Watford know all about being on the receiving end of a Manchester City backlash though, and the Hornets will be fearful of a repeat of the 8-0 City win at the Etihad earlier this season.

That phenomenal result included five goals in the first 18 minutes, and Watford’s defensive performance against West Ham should ring alarm bells again.

They have conceded 14 goals in their last two games against City, and that alone is reason for serious concern.

Add to that the fact they have sacked Nigel Pearson, who had clawed them to the brink of survival, and the pre-match build up could not have been worse.

They played poorly against West Ham, there is no excusing that, but two wins in their previous two games means they sit 17th.

Matches against Manchester City and Arsenal are a tough end to the season, but the fact remains that their destiny is in their hands going into these games.

The biggest concern for Watford will be that their goal difference is currently superior to Aston Villa and Bournemouth below them.

A repeat of either of their last two results against City, or indeed their back-to-back five-goal horror shows in home matches against them a couple of seasons ago, and that will change.

City are big favourites going into this match, and Watford’s change of manager does not alter that.

Watford vs Man City Recommended bets with odds

Manchester City are huge favourites to win this game, and can be backed at 1/3 to win with 10Bet, Bet365 and Betway.

After their recent results against Watford, over 3.5 goals will return 11/9 with 10Bet.

Raheem Sterling tops City’s goalscoring charts now in Sergio Aguero’s absence, and he is a best price of 59/50 with 888sport to score at any time.

Watford vs Manchester City Prediction

Manchester City were stung by their FA Cup semi-final defeat and, for the second time this season, Watford should be afraid of the backlash.

Correct score prediction: Watford 0-4 Manchester City

Watford Team News

Etienne Capoue has been ruled out of this match through injury, joining Daryl Janmaat, Isaac Success and Gerard Deulofeu on the sidelines. 

Watford Key Players

Troy Deeney – Three goals in the last two games and with Pearson sacked, the captain is expected to have a greater say in things for these final two games.
Danny Welbeck – Only scored one league goal this season but that strike against Norwich could still prove a vital one in their bid for survival.
Ben Foster – Arguably one of the better goalkeepers to have been hit for eight in the Premier League, he will be desperate to ensure there is no repeat as they prepare to face Manchester City again.

Watford Team Form

Watford had clawed themselves closer to safety with back-to-back 2-1 wins against Norwich and Newcastle. Craig Dawson and Danny Welbeck scored as they came from behind to beat the Canaries and Troy Deeney hit two penalties in the win against Newcastle. A 3-1 loss to West Ham, despite Deeney pulling one back just after half-time, resulted in the owners pressing the panic button and sacking Nigel Pearson, however.

Watford Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line up: 4-3-3

Man City Team News

Sergio Aguero remains sidelined, as does Claudio Bravo – who subsequently missed his opportunity to play in the FA Cup semi-final. Some of the players who started on the bench against Arsenal, such as Rodri, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, could return for this match.

Man City Key Players

Raheem Sterling – His hat-trick in the win against Brighton took him to the top of Manchester City’s goalscoring charts for the season.
Kevin de Bruyne – Below his best last time out, but he has been incredible this season with a stunning tally of assists and 11 league goals too.
Bernardo Silva – Pushing for a start after hitting a hat-trick when these teams last met, the Portuguese playmaker will be hoping for a strong end to an inconsistent season.

Man City Team Form

Manchester City missed out on a chance of another FA Cup final as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, which continued their inconsistent form of the entire season. They were unconvincing in a 2-1 win at home to Bournemouth before that – David Silva and Gabriel Jesus scoring their goals – but they did win their two previous matches 5-0.

Manchester City Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line up: 4-3-3

Watford may sit outside the relegation places but their desperation is obvious from the sacking of Nigel Pearson with just two games to go. Hayden Mullins now faces the thankless task of trying to lift the Hornets for a match against a Manchester City side who hit them for eight earlier in the season.
Manchester City have won their last 12 consecutive matches against Watford, scoring 44 goals and conceding just six.