Watford looking to avoid third consecutive hammering at hands of Pep

Watford welcome Manchester City to Vicarage Road in midweek, hoping that they can avoid being on the end of another hammering from Pep Guardiola and his men.

Manchester City have enjoyed their trip to Watford in recent years, the last two games have seen City romp to victory 5-0 and 6-0. In fact, Watford have failed to beat Manchester City since 1989, when both clubs were languishing in Division 2, the last time Watford took a point off City was back in 2007, with cult heroes Darius Vassell and Tamas Priskin getting on the scoresheet.

Javi Gracia may have signed a recent contract extension at the club, but his Watford side come into the game in poor form, having won just two of their last 10 league games, losing six in the process. They will have to go into this game without midfielder Etienne Capoue too, who saw red late in the 2-0 loss at Leicester City at the weekend.

Manchester City meanwhile, are still unbeaten this season, having taken 38 out of a possible 42 points. Pep Guardiola has his side well on track to retaining their Premier League title after a comfortable 3-1 win over Bournemouth, despite not being at their dazzling best.

Watford have Tom Cleverley and Darryl Janmaat out of this game, Cleverley is slowly getting back to training after an achilles injury whilst Janmaat is a doubt due to match fitness, but both should be available for the weekend fixtures.

Manchester City have several injury concerns but possess a squad which is more than capable of coping. Eliaquim Managala and Benjamin Mendy are both out with knee injury, as is Kevin De Bruyne who suffered ligament damage. Claudio Bravo has an achilles injury whilst Oleksandr Zinchenko has a broken nose, Sergio Aguero is a slight doubt with muscle fatigue.

Manchester City have superior quality throughout the field in this match up, and Watford look a side bereft of confidence, the prior results are not a good omen for Gracia’s side and Guardiola will want his team to build momentum ahead of a huge clash with Chelsea at the weekend.