Comments, predictions Man City vs Watford: Win without Haaland

In a clash that will bring back painful memories for visiting fans, Manchester City and Watford will face each other in a Carabao Cup third round tie on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium.

While the reigning Premier League champions enter one of their favourite competitions - at least in terms of success under Pep Guardiola - at this stage, Watford have overcome MK Dons and Plymouth Argyle to reach this intriguing fixture.

Latest Man City vs Watford squad information

In what could be one of the most forgettable performances of his career, Rodri went down twice in the weekend draw, once after a collision just five seconds into the game with Kai Havertz and then with what appeared to be a serious knee injury, although City fans are anxiously awaiting news on his condition.

Although Guardiola suggested Kevin De Bruyne (groin) could be available for the Arsenal game, the Belgian midfielder - as reported - was not in the squad and should not feature against the second-tier side. Oscar Bobb (leg) and Nathan Ake (thigh) are also out.

Pep Guardiola cannot be ruled out changing his entire starting 11, he could also call up players from the club's Under-21 side to fill out the squad for Tuesday's game, where young talent Nico O'Reilly could play a key role.

Meanwhile, Watford's efforts against Norwich were marred by two early defensive changes, with goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann and centre-back Francisco Sierralta both being substituted within minutes of the first half.

The severity of the injuries remains unclear, but both are unlikely to feature at the Etihad due to the tight schedule, so reserve goalkeeper Jonathan Bond and Ryan Porteous are likely to be replaced in the starting line-up.

Kevin Keben (knee injury) is also ineligible for Watford, while striker Daniel Jebbison is unavailable having played for Bournemouth in the second round before moving to Vicarage Road on loan.

Latest Man City vs Watford expected lineup

Manchester City:

Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Simpson-Pusey, Wilson-Esbrand; Nunes, Wright; O'Reilly, McAtee, Grealish; Foden

Watford:

Bond; Morris, Pollock, Porteous; Andrews, Dele-Bashiru, Sissoko, Sema; Chakvetadze, Baah; Bayo

Latest Man City vs Watford football review

The competition was once seen as a done deal in the early years of Pep Guardiola's reign at Man City, but the Premier League champions have yet to win the Carabao Cup since winning a fourth consecutive title - and eighth overall - in the COVID-affected 2020-21 campaign.

Man City have swapped Carabao Cup medals for the more glittering Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup titles in recent years, but they have lost their edge in the knockout stages of that competition, only reaching the quarter-finals since the 2021-22 season.

Guardiola's bid to regain the Carabao Cup last year came to a memorable end at this stage against Newcastle United. However, City have not been eliminated in consecutive third-round ties since 1987, and the excitement from last weekend's sizzling clash is unlikely to have worn off more than 48 hours later.

For more than 45 minutes of the second half against Arsenal on Sunday, the Gunners' 10-man defence looked unbreakable, until John Stones - coming off the bench - scored the latest goal in City's Premier League history to seal a 2-2 draw. The draw kept Guardiola's side top of the table, but ended their run of 13 consecutive Premier League wins.

Erling Haaland's 100th goal for Man City broke the record, before John Stones scored an emotional equaliser. However, Haaland may have to wait for his 101st goal as the hosts have just one day's rest before their next game.

Meanwhile, Watford have lost some of their form under Tom Cleverley. After an impressive start with five straight wins, including a 5-0 win over MK Dons and a 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle in the earlier rounds of the Carabao Cup, the team endured a disappointing September.

Victory over Plymouth on 27 August was their last win, with Watford taking just one point from three Championship games this month, losing to Sheffield United and Norwich City, with a home draw with Coventry City in between.

Saturday's 4-1 defeat to Norwich dealt a heavy blow to Cleverley, leaving Watford out of the top six and in eighth place, just one point off the play-off places.

Watford’s history against City doesn’t bode well either. Since a 1-1 draw in 2017, Watford have lost 15 straight games to City, conceding 58 goals, an average of almost four per game. At the very least, Watford can look forward to Haaland getting a midweek rest. However, even if City make changes and give their young talent a chance, it’s likely that their run of goals against Watford will continue and City will progress to the fourth round.

Watford's squad is lacking in spirit and has suffered two defensive injuries at the worst possible time, so it's hard to imagine the out-of-form visitors getting a positive result against a reserve but still talented Man City side.

Man City vs Watford score prediction

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the following results for the Man City vs Watford match:

• Sportsmole: Man City 2-0 Watford

• WhoScore: Man City 1-0 Watford
• Our prediction: Man City 2-0 Watford

When and where to watch Man City vs Watford live?

To watch live the match Man City vs Watford in the Carabao Cup taking place at 1:45 a.m. on September 25, viewers can watch on K+ Sport, K+PM or online sports channels. Wish you all have fun watching football.

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