Manchester City have almost secured their place in the top four with their thumping 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion in the midweek and have a very slim chance of things going horribly wrong for them. However, the easiest way to prevent any such thing from happening would be a win in the last game of the season.
However, their next opponent aren’t an easy bunch to beat especially in their backyard, which is something City must do to assure Champions League football next season. The Hornets have been unusually tough side to beat as was evident from their 4-3 defeat against Chelsea. At their home, they have collected 28 points from 18 games, which include wins against Manchester United, Everton and Leicester City.
If recent records are taken into consideration though, Guardiola is expecting a routine win this Sunday. Watford haven’t won against City in the last seven league encounters, losing the last three times. To top that, City have put in more than two goals in six of the last nine fixtures between them.
Possible Manchester City XI vs Watford
Defence
Willy Caballero will continue to take his position between the sticks. The Argentine failed to keep a clean sheet against West Bromwich Albion as Welshman Robson-Kanu scored a late consolation at Etihad. With his contract expiring this summer, this may well be his last game.
The defensive flanks are likely to be taken by Aleksandar Kolarov and Fernandinho. With the back line quite fine last game, we expect them to remain the same this time too. The away trip to Vicarage Road could be the last game for many of the defenders at City given Guardiola’s major remodelling in progress.
The central defence should feature Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi. Since the Belgian skipper’s return to the squad, Guardiola hasn’t changed the pairing.
Midfield
Yaya Toure has been brilliant in the single pivot role of late. The former Ivory Coast international even scored the third goal last game, which more or less killed it. He will keep his place in the deep midfield role.
The star-studded four-man midfield of City has started firing a little too late. The flanks will be taken by Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling. There are 12 goals and 15 assists between them and they would like to end the season on a good note. The attacking midfielders would be David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
Attack
The attack will be led by Sergio Aguero.
Aguero
Sane – De Bruyne – Silva – Sterling
Toure
Kolarov – Kompany – Otamendi – Fernandinho
Caballero
