Man City vs Watford - Team News, Match Preview & Likely Line-Ups

Date: Saturday, January 25 Venue: Etihad Stadium Kick-Off: 15:00 Can Manchester City stay on course for an unprecedented quadruple when they take on Watford in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday?

Team News

Manchester City will be without duo Alvaro Negredo and David Silva for the visit of Watford in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday. Striker Negredo is out with a shoulder injury while playmaker Silva is sidelined with a hamstring problem. Defender Micah Richards could be in contention however following a lengthy lay-off while Costel Pantilimon is expected to continue in goal. Watford will be without a series of stars including Lewis McGugan, Iriney, and suspended duo Fitz Hall and Alexander Merkel. Defender Marco Cassetti has been passed fit however after overcoming a knee injury. sky sports

Key Stats

The last meeting between these two sides was in January last year, also in the FA Cup, when goals from Carlos Tevez, Gareth Barry and Marcos Lopes sealed a 3-0 win for City. No English club have won at the Etihad Stadium this season. However, Watford have earned a draw against City in two of their last three meetings, in the Premier League in 2007 (1-1) and 2006 (0-0). Independent

Likely Line-Ups

Man City Pantilimon, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Milner, Fernandinho, Garcia, Navas, Dzeko, Jovetic Watford Almunia, Pudil, Angella, Ekstrand, Doyley, Faraoni, Battocchio, Fabbrini, Murray, Anya, Deeney

Match Preview

Watford will travel to the Etihad on Saturday looking to become the first English side to beat Manchester City on home soil this season. That's the daunting challenge facing Giuseppe Sannino's side at the weekend with City still on course to win a historic quadruple. These two sides last met one year ago this month, also in the FA Cup, with the Citizens emerging 3-0 winners before going on to reach the final - losing to Wigan. And The Hornets will be hoping for another giant slaying here with the home side overwhelming favourites to defeat their Championship opposition. We have seen this week however that magic does exist in cup competition with Sunderland knocking City's neighbours United out of the Capital One Cup - and anything could happen. However, I can't see another upset on the cards and am backing Manuel Pellegrini's men for a comfy win. Prediction: 4-0
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.