Manchester City hosts Championship side Watford in the EFL Cup third round at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, with the match kicking off at 19:45.
Match Preview: Manchester City vs Watford
City welcomes Watford in what is expected to be a highly one-sided EFL Cup encounter.
The Citizens, fresh from a 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal, will be looking to bounce back with a strong performance. Despite playing with 10 men in the second half against Arsenal, City will be keen to avoid any further slip-ups as they begin their EFL Cup campaign.
Pep Guardiola’s men have had an excellent season so far, losing just once across all competitions.
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City is determined to make a statement after an early exit from last season’s League Cup, and this clash against Championship opposition presents the perfect opportunity.
Watford, meanwhile, breezed through the first two rounds of the competition, but facing a side like City is a far more daunting prospect.
Watford’s Recent Form
Watford has had a mixed start to their season. They dominated the earlier rounds of the EFL Cup, recording a 5-0 win over MK Dons and a 2-0 victory against Plymouth Argyle.
However, their Championship form has been shaky, with no wins in their last three league matches, including a 4-1 defeat at Norwich City on Saturday.
Manager Tom Cleverley will need to find a way to motivate his side against the reigning Premier League champions.
Head-to-Head Record:
Historically, City has completely dominated Watford in head-to-head meetings, winning their last 15 encounters across all competitions.
The most recent meeting ended in a 5-1 thrashing at the Etihad Stadium in 2022. Given this track record, the gulf in quality between the two teams is evident, and another one-sided affair is expected.
Betting Tips and Predictions:
1. City to Win to Nil – 5/6 (jambobet)
With a formidable defense featuring Ruben Dias and John Stones, City is likely to dominate possession and prevent Watford from getting any real chances on goal. Backing City to win without conceding offers solid value.
2.City to Win Both Halves – 21/20 (jambobet)
Given City’s overwhelming superiority, they can be backed to win both halves at 21/20. Expect a fast start from Guardiola’s men, who will be eager to put the tie to bed early.
3. Manchester City -2 Handicap – 23/20 (jambobet)
City has won the majority of their encounters against Watford by large margins. With a -2 handicap at 23/20, bettors can capitalize on City’s potential to win by three or more goals, making this an appealing option.
Players to Watch
City: Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, John Stones
Erling Haaland remains City’s most potent attacking threat. The Norwegian striker, supported by Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, is expected to trouble the Watford defense.
On the defensive side, John Stones and Ruben Dias should ensure City keeps a clean sheet.
Watford: Ryan Porteous, Daniel Jebbison
Watford’s defense will be under constant pressure, especially with key players Francisco Sierralta and Jeremy Ngakia sidelined through injury.
Ryan Porteous will step in to marshal the defense, while forward Daniel Jebbison will be hoping for any opportunities on the counter-attack.
Probable Line-ups
City (4-3-3): Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Nunes, Grealish; Foden, Haaland, McAtee.
Watford (4-2-3-1): Bachmann; Pollock, Porteous, Morris, Andrews; Dele-Bashiru, Sissoko; Sema, Chakvetadze, Vata; Jebbison.
Betting Summary
- City win to nil – 5/6
- City to win both halves – 21/20
- City -2 handicap – 23/20
This EFL Cup tie promises to be a straightforward victory for City, with Watford likely struggling to cope with their superior opponents. For bettors, these three markets provide strong options for maximizing returns.
