MANCHESTER CITY host Watford as the pressure gets cranked up a notch at both ends of the table.
It's neck and neck at the top of the table and with City generally thought to have a more tricky run-in than Liverpool, this is viewed as a penalty kick against a Watford team all but doomed.
But nothing is straightforward as this stage of the campaign and Pep Guardiola's side would settle for three points any way they can get them.
City left it to the second half before class told against Brighton and that was their first win in three games. With a home Champions League semi-final clash against Real Madrid coming up in midweek, it's normally a game where rotation could enter the thoughts of the manager, but he can't dare take any chances.
Watford look down and out. They are seven points from safety having played a game more than fourth bottom Everton.
Their only slight glimmer of hope is they are far better at collecting points away from home than at Vicarage Road – they are 14th in the Premier League table for away form.
However, this is a colossal ask against a hungry City team.
How the bookies view it
Manchester City are 1/10 generally although you can get 1/9 with Coral. Watford are viewed as 33/1 no-hopers with SBK and even the draw is 9/1 with bet365.
Recent heads to heads
Manchester City cruised to a 3-1 win at Vicarage Road in December as can be seen below. City have won the last 14 meetings in probably the most one-sided head to heads ever, including a couple of 6-0s and an 8-0.
Players to watch
Raheem Sterling really should get plenty of chances against the Hornets and he's due a goal having not scored in six. He should be fresh having been an unused sub in midweek and is. He's evens with bet365 to make it 17 goals for the season.
Nigerian hitman Emmanuel Dennis scored in their defeat to Brentford and has now scored ten goals for club and country in all competitions this season. He's 6/1 with bet365 to score.
Anything else catch the eye?
Manchester City are obviously unbackable except on accas and they may settle for any kind of win against the Hornets.
It's hard to see them going goal crazy with a massive Champions League tie approaching in midweek. Boylesports' 6/5 on a home win and under 3.5 goals looks a solid shout.
As bad as Roy Hodgson's side are, they rarely actually get thumped – their worst defeat this season was 5-0 to Liverpool and that's almost understandable.
They are 20/23 with Coral with a three-goal start on the handicaps and they can cover that if City don't go for broke.
This English Premier League match between Manchester City and Watford will be played on Apr 23, 2022 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester City vs Watford prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
