Watford have been one of the surprise packages of the Premier League season so far and they have started fantastically well. They have two wins and two draws from their opening four games, and look to be on course for a much better season than many predicted, including me.
Watford v Manchester City
Premier League – Old Trafford, Stretford – Saturday, September 16th, 2017, 15:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 5/1 at Ladbrokes |
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Watford
Manchester CityManchester City have also started well and will arrive here full of confidence thanks to a great 4-0 away victory against Feyenoord during midweek. Like Watford, they are also unbeaten in the Premier League, although this will be a tough task for them and Watford cannot be underestimated here, especially with City playing away in Europe and having to travel back.
I think the travel involved for Manchester City will make this already tough looking trip even tougher for them and we should see a great game, between two closely matched teams.
Watford Form
Nobody has been more surprised by Watford’s start than me, I had them down as a team that would struggle this season. However, they deserve an enormous amount of credit for their start and they have picked up plenty of points against some good teams.
On the opening day we saw Watford play out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool, before they went on to beat Bournemouth away. They then drew at home 0-0 with Brighton, although they deserve more credit for that fixture because they played a huge part of it with just 10 men, and still managed to draw the game.
Most recently, Watford won 2-0 away at Southampton, giving them their first defeat of the season and that was another great result for them. You can’t help but be impressed with the start Watford have had and if they can keep this going then surely a top half finish beckons for them.
Manchester City Form
We have only seen Manchester City stumble once and that was in a home game against Everton where they drew 1-1. They played part of that game with 10 men, so actually it was a pretty good result and elsewhere they have been impressive. An opening day win over Brighton was a good away win at a tough place to play, as was the 2-1 away win at Bournemouth, a game where they scored a last minute winner to clinch it.
At home is where we have seen Manchester City at their best, and last weekend when they won 5-0 against Liverpool was their best performance to date. Liverpool went down to 10 men in the first half, which made things easier for City, but it was still an impressive attacking display from them.
From what we have seen so far, Manchester City look set for another Premier League title challenge and it will be a surprise if they are not there later in the season. They have plenty of flair going forward and enough power to overrun most teams in the league, something they will be hoping to do against Watford in this game.
Team News
Marco Silva has installed an attacking confidence into Watford and that has been the key for them this season. They look dangerous going forward after finishing 17th last season and look to be turning things around in dramatic fashion this season. The two players in focus for me are Richarlison and Abdoulaye Doucoure, who have shown much promise so far and if Watford can keep them playing they are exciting prospects.
Manchester City are not short of attacking flair themselves, which is why this game should be fantastic to watch for the neutrals. With new man Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero in the same team they are an exciting prospect and they are sure to create many chances against Watford this weekend.
Top Betting Tips
I am really looking forward to this game and it has the potential to be the most exciting game of the weekend. We have two very attacking teams, who have shown a lot of promise so far this season and I can’t wait to see more from them.
I am going to back the draw in this game because I really think Watford can get something from the game. With Manchester City having to travel back from Europe, their preparations for this game haven’t been ideal, and that could come into play later in the game.
The draw offers value and is priced at 9/2 with William Hill and Stan James, a price I can’t ignore. Both are expected to attack well, but they may cancel each other out in this one.