City look to build on their first away win of the season by consolidating their impressive home form when they entertain Watford on Monday evening.
Watford make their first visit to the City of Manchester Stadium searching for their first away win in the Premiership this season. City defend a fine home record that has seen them concede just a solitary goal. Typical City to kick in? Well there is every chance with this being derby week. How many times have we seen it happen?
In all seriousness, the derby build up has already started and both the team and supporters need to forget about Saturday’s game and concentrate on the task in hand. Watford are bound to be dogged and resiliant and the blues could find it hard to contend with their route one style of play.
If City can overcome the Watford resistance and take all three points they will enter the scrap taking place outside of the top two. The battle for European places is very congested and three points tonight will move the blues to within one win of third place Arsenal.
Vital Quotes:
Stuart Pearce speaks about tonight’s visitors.
‘I have seen Watford play more than any other team in the Premiership, and they have not been overwhelmed in any game this season.
‘They are a dogged side and if anyone thinks they will have an easy game against them, they are sadly mistaken.
‘All they need are back-to-back victories and suddenly they will be out of the relegation zone again.’
Manchester City Team News:
City should remain unchanged although Ousmane Dabo and Demarcus Beasley may be in contention for places on the bench.
Player to watch: Corradi
Starting to perform and develop a good partnership with Samaras.
Watford Team News:
Hameur Bouazza and Ashley Young are back in cotention. King, Foster, Powell and Carlisle are all missing.
Player to watch: Young
Looks a bright spark in an average side
Match Facts & Stats
A first meeting between the sides in the Premiership but the last ten fixtures remain pretty even. City have won four and Watford five with just one draw.
Last meeting in Manchester was Kevin Keegan’s first game in charge against Gianluca Vialli’s ‘Manchester United of the first division’. City duly won 3-1.
Ref Watch:
Mark Clattenberg – No history with him that springs to mind.
Match Prediction:
A tight fought game with a late Bernardo Corradi goal nicking the points. City 1-0.
Next Fixtures:
The one remaining hoodoo and our first win at the sty since 74. Rags (a)