Manchester City vs Watford – Match Preview
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It is all change once again at the top of the Premier League, as Manchester City have returned to the summit and with just nine matches of the season to go, the question is whether they can hold on between now and the end of the campaign.
They’ve not quite been at their brilliant best as of late, something that a pair of 1-0 wins will attest to. However, they are doing what is most important and that is grinding out wins and in turn continuing to add points to the board.
Last weekend they travelled to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth and although the margin of victory was slender, the performance was still one of dominance. A statement backed up by the fact that the Cherries failed to register a single shot either on or off target.
Add to the fact that they only had 18% possession and you can begin to understand just what strangle hold City had on proceedings last weekend, something that upcoming opponents Watford will have to be wary of.
Last weekend Watford dampened the arrival of Brendan Rodgers as Leicester manager, after earning a 2-1 win over the Foxes at Vicarage Road and thanks to those additional three points, they are still well in the hunt for a Europa League place next season.
However, it is not just the Premier League route which could well be a pathway to Europe next season, as Javi Gracia’s men are still in the F.A. Cup and a day out to Wembley at the end of May is not outside the realms of possibility either.
At the same time a trip to the Etihad is never an easy one and with City now back at the top of the table, they will want to assert their dominance over the rest of the division and Liverpool in particular.
Especially as Liverpool play a day later, something that means the Reds could find themselves four points behind – albeit having played a game less, by the time they kick off against Burnley almost 24 hours later.
This means that City have the perfect opportunity to turn the screw on their nearest rivals and after just edging their last two league outings, you do get the feeling that this is a side that is ready to put their opposition to the sword.
The only thing that could well stop this City side from winning the title is themselves, especially when you consider that they are still competing on three fronts, having already won the Carabao Cup last month.
That means that Pep Guardiola is going to have to use every member of his all-star squad over the next couple of months and with Riyad Mahrez netting the winner over Bournemouth, he will be pushing for inclusion from the start this time.
That win over Bournemouth did see Kevin De Bruyne pick up an injury and although he will be hugely missed, City have more than enough quality to get the job done this weekend and earn a home win over Watford.
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