Manchester City’s convincing win against Shakhtar Donetsk midweek will give them a confidence boost before they face Watford this weekend.

The centre-back partnership of Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi kept a clean sheet, and manager Pep Guardiola was able to rotate his team and rest some important players so things couldn’t have gone much better.

Even so, the news that John Stones will be out for up to five weeks with a muscular problem isn’t ideal. The Citizens are already without Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane with long-term knee injuries.

Phil Foden could return to the squad when they play the Hornets after missing out against Shakhtar due to illness.

Manchester City’s Predicted XI To Play Watford:

Ederson, Cancelo, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Rodri, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Aguero, Sterling

Watford would have been buoyed by their second-half comeback against Arsenal last time out, and new manager Quique Sanchez Flores would have been delighted by the response that saw his side claim a point in his first game back in charge.

Craig Cathcart picked up a thigh injury whilst playing for Northern Ireland and won’t be available for Saturday. Neither will captain Troy Deeney who is recovering from knee surgery.

Watford’s Predicted XI:

Foster, Janmaat, Dawson, Kabasele, Holebas, Capoue, Doucoure, Pereyra, Cleverley, Deulofeu, Gray

The bookmakers have City as clear favourites with Ladbrokes pricing them at 2/15 to win. A draw is 9/1 with William Hill while a Watford victory is currently 25/1 at Unibet.

Predicted Score – 4-1 to Manchester City – Join Our Predictor League Here And Potentially Win £500.