MANAGERLESS Watford take on Man City knowing they could be mathematically safe by the end of the evening if they can pull of a big upset.
A point for the Hornets would be enough to relegate Bournemouth and force Aston Villa to match their result when they face Arsenal in the late kick-off in order to stand a chance of staying up.
Pep Guardiola’s visitors are assured of Champions League football after winning their CAS appeal against a two-year ban, and they will finish second regardless of what happens in their last two fixtures.
But they may be looking to take out a bit of frustration on the Hornets after an uncharacteristically disappointing display in their 2-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal.
What time does Watford vs Man City kick off?
- Watford vs Man City will be played on Tuesday, July 21.
- Kick-off at Vicarage Road is at 8pm.
- Visitors Man City would love a repeat of the result at the Etihad when the sides last met and they ran out 8-0 winners.
What TV channel is Watford vs Man City on and can I live stream it?
- Watford vs Man City is live on Sky One, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Pick.
- To stream the game live, head to Sky Go.
How do I watch Watford vs Man City for free?
- Sky Pick is a special FREE channel for all UK viewers, available until the end of the 2019/20 Premier League season.
- Simply head to Sky channel 159 or Freeview channel 144.
Team news
Watford’s tormentor-in-chief Sergio Aguero is out for this match at Vicarage Road, but might play a part in City’s Champions League campaign.
The Argentine has scored an incredible 11 goals in eight meetings with the Hornets.
Pep Guardiola says City will make some changes from the FA Cup semi-final, which could mean Oleksandr Zinchenko and John Stones coming in for Benjamin Mendy and Erick Garcia.
And Gabriel Jesus may get a rest if Pep Guardiola chooses to play Bernardo Silva as false nine, while Phil Foden could well come into the side.
Hayden Mullins will have to decide whether Troy Deeney is fit to lead the Hornets after being seen icing his knee following his substitution at West Ham.
And Watford will hope to have Etienne Capoue back in midfield after he missed out at the London Stadium through injury.
Latest odds
Watford 17/2
Draw 21/5
Man City 3/10
Both teams to score 3/4
What they said
Watford interim manager Hayden Mullins: “One of the things we have had to deal with in the last couple of days is the manager leaving. However that has come about is something we can’t let dissuade us from our focus.
“Our focus are the last two games. We know the manager was a big part of it, but the club have made a decision and us, the players and staff, have to be professional enough to focus on the next two games.
“We’ve got a lot of leaders in the group, and we need every single one of them.
“We need everyone pulling in the same direction. We need 11 leaders out on the pitch and all we need to have one common goal and that’s to get a positive result.”
Man City manager Pep Guardiola on Nigel Pearson’s sacking: “It makes our job easier, We don’t have to watch any Watford games because I don’t know the system they will use or how they are going to play.
“We cannot help the players so the players will have to solve situations for themselves.
“It is not easy for me to talk about this. I respect the decision, all I can say is before the lockdown what Nigel did was incredible. The amount of points and the results they got when they were on the bottom…
“But after that I don’t know what happened. I respect the decision of the club and I wish Nigel all the best.”
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