Man City MCI Jesus (4', 23', Pen 49', 53'), Rodri (34')
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Match preview

Rest for big players? - How Man City could line up against Watford in the Premier League

Pep Guardiola's side need a victory to maintain their slim lead over Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table

Manchester City play host to relegation-threatened Watford on Saturday afternoon, with both teams needing a win to achieve their respective goals for the season.

Liverpool's form has piled the pressure on Man City to win every remaining game, while Watford's relegation back down to the Championship will all-but be confirmed if they continue to miss out on points as they lose ground on Everton and Burnley who have both found some late-season inspiration.

Guardiola's side bounced back from their FA Cup semi-final heartache with a crucial victory over Brighton in midweek to avoid a potential stumbling block against a team fresh from beating both Arsenal and Tottenham in recent games.

Goals from Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva secured all three points, while City were boosted by the return of Ruben Dias, who appeared off the bench and could start against Watford.

Kyle Walker remains out and both John Stones and Nathan Ake suffered minor injuries against Brighton so the options in defence are limited.

Next week's Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid will no doubt be on Guardiola's mind so he may choose to rest a few key players in order to ensure they're fully fit for the visit of Los Blancos.

Squad rotation cost his side against Liverpool in the FA Cup, but he'll be confident that a second string side can overcome a Watford team with only two wins since November.

The likes of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden could all be rested, with Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus recalled. Jack Grealish may also start, while Guardiola will also be able to call on youngster Cole Palmer who marked his return to the squad against Brighton following a lengthy absence. His last appearance came in the cup victory over Swindon Town back in January.

Potential Man City Starting XI vs Watford

Match statistics

Man City
Statistics
Watford
Games Played
20
20
 
Results
 
Wins
13
2
Draws
5
3
Losses
2
15
 
Goals Scoring
 
Goals Scored
44
13
Goals Per Game
2.20
0.65
More > 2.5 Goals
10
12
More > 3 Goals
9
6
Scored First in a Match
13
4
Scored Both Halves
8
1
Won More > 1 Goal
10
0
 
Other
 
Goals Conceded
13
42
Did Not Score
3
9
Both Teams Scored
8
10
Kept Clean Sheet
12
3
Won Without Conceding
9
1
Games Played
20
20
 
Possession
 
Touches
856
-
Possession
67
-
Passes
686
-
 
Attacking
 
Total Shots
17
10
Shots on Target
5.50
3.50
Goals out of Shots
0.12
0.06
Crosses
21
-
Offsides
2.06
1.92
Penalties
0.20
0.00
 
Defensive
 
Clean Sheets
0.60
0.15
Tackles Won
6.73
-
Clearances
9.36
-
Interceptions
8.45
-
Own Goals
0.05
0.10
Aerials Won
15
-
Total Shots Conceded
6.28
14
Shots on Target Conceded
2.65
4.68
Goals out of Shots Conceded
0.08
0.18
 
Discipline
 
Fouls
9.17
11
Yellow Cards
1.20
1.45
Red Cards
0.00
0.00

Injuries

  1. Unknown image description
  2. Hip/Thigh Injury image description
  3. Ankle/Foot Injury image description