With the last match-day of the English Premier League campaign approaching, Manchester City just needs 1 point to be assured of a top 4 finish in Pep Guardiola’s first season in the Country. City has played well this season, but there are still some visible flaws in the structure and styles of the team, something that Pep will want to iron out in the coming season. With Watford playing host to the Citizens, the Hornets will hope they can again put in a positive performance as they did last time out against League Champions Chelsea, who were able to win the match 4:3 only to a late Cesc Fabregas goal.
WATFORD FC vs. MANCHESTER CITY FC
3-Way: 1: WATFORD FC +1225; X: +592 Draw; 2: MANCHESTER CITY FC -333
Spread +1.5: WATFORD FC +145; MANCHESTER CITY FC -143
Total +3.5: Over +110; Under -118
WATFORD FC
After returning to the English Premier league last season and finishing 13th, many thought that the team will build upon that result and give even better performances this season. However, that hasn’t been the case, as the club has struggled for points this season under Former Napoli coach Walter Mazzari and has just about managed to stay up in the league. After a decent performance against Chelsea last time out, at least from the attacking front, the Hornets will be hoping to attack the Manchester City backline in the hope of getting something out of the match.
Sitting at 16th position in the English Premier league, the Hornets have earned 40 points, with 28 of those coming in home matches, showing their dismal away form. They are in a poor run of from currently as they have lost all of their last 5 matches in the league. A 1:0 away defeat against Everton a week ago was followed by an exciting but painful defeat against Chelsea, where they lost 4:3.
The Hornets have struggled to make an impact at both ends of the pitch, be it scoring or preventing goals. They have managed to score only 40 goals in the English Premier League this season, with 25 of those coming at home. Their defense has been pretty poor, as they have regularly shipped in goals. Only 4 teams have conceded more, as their backline has conceded 63 times this season; 24 of those being at home matches. The Hornets have also kept 7 clean sheets in the league.
Their Captain Troy Deeney has also experienced a drop in form, when compared to last season. He still leads the charts for goals scored in the English Premier league for the team, with 10 goals to his name and 4 assists. Following him next, is former Spurs midfielder Ettiene Capoue. The Frenchman has scored 7 goals, as well as provided a solitary assist. Defender Cholevas has also done his bit to get the team attacking, with 2 goals and 4 assists to his name.
There are some concerns when it comes to injuries and suspensions for the Hornets. Roberto Pereyra, Mauro Zarate, and Younes Kaboul, all three are out of the season as announced earlier. Sebastian Prodl will miss this game due to suspension. Christian Kabasele , Craig Cathcart and Miguel Britos are concerns for the match due to persistence of their niggling injuries.
MANCHESTER CITY FC
As Guardiola’s first season as a manager of an English team comes to an end, it is safe to say that he couldn’t quite match up to the expectations, partly due to his philosophy and the players he had at his disposal. He still has managed to make the Blueas a very attacking team and has generally improved the level of game that the players of his team play with the ball, but he still has to correct some problems that his team have in the coming season. With a top four finish almost assured, Pep must be pretty confident that his team will be able to grab the three points this weekend, even though they need just 1 to ensure a top 4 finish.
Sitting at third position in the English Premier league, Man City has accumulated 75 points. 40 of those points have been won at home games. City are unbeaten in their last 5 league games, with their record being 3-2-0. A week ago, they defeated Leicester at home by the score 2:1, which was followed by a comfortable 3:1 home win against West Bromwich Albion. City will be hoping to extend their current 7 match unbeaten run in the league to 8 come Sunday.
No matter what, but City have been absolutely devastating when it comes to scoring goals, with only Chelsea and Tottenham scoring more than Pep’s men. They have scored 75 goals in the English Premier League this season, with 35 of them coming on the road. It is the defense that has been a bit awry this season. They have conceded 39 goals in the league, with 22 of them coming at away matches. Even with all their troubles with Claudio Bravo, they have still managed to keep 11 clean sheets.
Argentine striker Segio Aguero has been their top scorer this season, as has been the case in the last few campaigns, with 18 goals to his name, along with 2 assists. Their most precious commodity will arguably be Kevin De Bruyne. The former Chelsea player has created a massive 16 assists this season and also scored 6 goals. Pep Guardiola’s style of play has givena new lease of life to wingers, as is visible by the improvement in Raheem Sterling’s performances this season. The English wideman has scored 7 goals and created 6 of them in the league.
City have three players out for the season. Summer signings Ilkay Gundogan and much ridiculed Claudio Bravo, are both, along with English midfielder Fabian Delph.
WATFORD FC vs. MANCHESTER CITY FC – Match Prediction:
Even though Pep Guardiola’s first season hasn’t been efficient as many people expected it to be, he still has managed to make City a very dangerous opponent and added a new fluidic dimension to their attacking.
This match will probably be the end of a horrible season for the Hornets, as it is very difficult to envisage anything other than an away Victory for city in this match. However, it must be noted that Watford showed a decent ability to score goals last time out against Chelsea, even though the Champions out up a weakened much changed side.
This probably indicates towards the fact that Manchester City defenders will have to be wary of not having a lapse of concentration in order to preserve their clean sheet.
The hosts will not points slip away on Sunday and should fire from all guns, while the visitors could find a way to the Blues net at least once. Go with the over and both teams to score -102.
MY PICK: Over 3.5 goals (+110)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-102)
