Manchester City to remain top

The hosts begin the game top of the table on 77 points while the visitors are in 19th place on 22 points and facing the prospect of relegation.

Manchester City come into the game having defeated Brighton and Hove Albion 3-0 at home in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

With the score 0-0 at halftime, some fans were getting nervous but Manchester City came out and got the job done in the second half, scoring three goals to record a comfortable victory.

That result means Manchester City are undefeated in 11 of their 12 most recent matches in all competitions. The only defeat came in the semi-final of the FA Cup against Liverpool and Pep Guardiola decided to make changes to his team, including the goalkeeper, which proved to be costly.

Trends show Manchester City are unbeaten in 29 of their 34 most recent home matches in the Premier League. They have won nine of their last 11 home league games, with the only dropped points coming against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

Manchester City have managed to score at least one goal in all their last 11 home matches in the Premier League. They have scored two or more goals in each of their five most recent home Premier League fixtures.

Watford make the trip to the Etihad Stadium having suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss at home against Brentford in the Premier League last weekend.

Having fallen behind early in the game, Watford equalized 10 minutes into the second half but could not hold on for a point, conceding the losing goal late in the match.

That result means Watford have lost each of their 3 most recent games in the Premier League and have recorded just a single victory from their last 8 league fixtures.

The win came away from home against Southampton but Watford have lost at home against Arsenal, Leeds United, and Brentford plus away to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool.

Trends show Watford have achieved just two wins in their 20 most recent games in the Premier League. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last three away league matches.

Manchester City to remain top

Team news and Manchester City have doubts over the fitness of Kyle Walker. He is the only player in the squad who could be unavailable but Pep Guardiola may choose to rotate ahead of the Champions League.

Watford have four players on the treatment table, with Francisco Sierralta, Samuel Kalu, William Troost-Ekong, and Cucho unavailable.