Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Saturday's Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Watford. Champions Manchester City have the chance to move four points clear at the top of the Premier League this weekend as they welcome Watford to the Etihad Stadium. The Citizens have an outright lead at the top of the table following Liverpool's latest blip, and they can take further advantage on Saturday as they are in action a day before their title rivals. Manchester City © Reuters A hard-fought win it may have been, but Man City ultimately got the job done away at Bournemouth last weekend to make it 16 victories in their last 17 matches in all competitions - coming at a time when some started to question their motivation levels. City's back-to-back losses against Crystal Palace and Leicester City either side of Christmas now seem a lifetime ago. Since then they have been near-perfect, dropping points only to Newcastle United. The pre-match hype surrounding the champions' home meeting with title rivals Liverpool in early January was big, though that game seems even bigger now in hindsight. City risked falling 10 points adrift of their opponents with defeat; instead, thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane, they reduced the margin to four points and they have since overtaken the Reds. Now, for the first time in months, the Citizens' title destiny is in their own hands. On the basis of their form over the past 10 weeks, combined with Liverpool's failure to string successive wins together since mid-January, it is very much theirs to lose. The fact that City are not firing on all cylinders in terms of their attacking play, on the basis of their last three results, may offer Liverpool some hope. Yet Pep Guardiola's men are ultimately showing a different side to their game, an ability to break down teams set out for a draw. Last weekend's 1-0 win at Bournemouth was a prime example of that. The Cherries became the first side in Premier League history to fail to register a single shot - either on target or off - as they put every player behind the ball in the hope of snatching a goalless draw. Riyad Mahrez's strike 10 minutes into the second half proved the difference at the Vitality Stadium, meaning that City - already with one trophy in their cabinet this season - are well on course to completing an unprecedented quadruple. With Schalke 04 and Swansea City to face in the Champions League and FA Cup respectively next week, this penultimate league outing in March provides Guardiola's side with a test of a different kind. The goals may have dried up, but victories now seem to be a formality and, rather ominously for Liverpool, there does not appear to be any way to stop the champions. Recent form in Premier League: LWWWWW Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWW Watford © Reuters A 5-0 thrashing against Liverpool in their most recent away outing is hardly the best way for Watford to set themselves up for this trip to the Etihad Stadium, though that heavy loss is one of just two defeats in their last 13 matches. Watford have taken nine points from the last 12 on offer either side of that Liverpool setback, scoring eight goals and conceding two in wins over Everton, Cardiff City and Leicester City, as well as seeing off Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup. The Hornets have a winnable quarter-final tie with Crystal Palace on the horizon in the domestic cup, but Javi Gracia is not letting his players take their eye off the ball in the Premier League, as seen with their late 2-1 win over Leicester last time out. Andre Gray's goal in the second minute of added time makes it three wins in their last four Premier League games - as many as they managed in their previous 15 - and leaves Watford eighth in the division. Gracia is targeting a European spot, which could be the reward for the side that finishes seventh this season. Wolverhampton Wanderers currently occupy that position, sitting ahead of the Hornets on goal difference alone. Confidence may be high in the Watford camp, but they have lost all nine of their Premier League games against sides starting the day top, scoring eight goals and conceding 26. They have also lost 10 of their 11 away league matches against the reigning top-flight champions, drawing the other in December 2015 against Chelsea. With back-to-back league trips to Manchester - they face United at Old Trafford on their return to top-flight action on March 30 - on top of games against two more top-six opponents in Arsenal and Chelsea still to come, maintaining their grip on eighth place will be a big challenge in itself. If lessons have been learned from the five-goal loss on Merseyside at the end of last month, though, Watford could pull off one of the biggest shocks of the campaign and provide the title race with another unexpected twist. Recent form in Premier League: LDWWLW Recent form (all competitions): DWWWLW Team News © Reuters What makes Man City's impressive run of form all the more remarkable is that they are currently without a number of key men. Last season's star player Kevin De Bruyne is the latest to be ruled out with an injury, joining Aymeric Laporte, Fernandinho and John Stones on the sidelines. Benjamin Mendy has endured another injury-plagued campaign and Fabian Delph is also a major doubt with an ankle problem, so Guardiola will almost certainly stick with third-choice left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has arguably been his best player over the past few weeks. There are decisions to be made in the frontline, with Guardiola no doubt having one eye on the upcoming knockout games with Schalke and Swansea. Gabriel Jesus and Mahrez came off the bench against Bournemouth, and the latter may be rewarded with a start after netting the winning goal on the south coast.<doc-sep>Get the biggest City stories, analysis and transfer updates delivered straight to your inbox Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Ederson Barely had a thing to do aside from picking the ball out of his net in the second half. Always a safe option with his feet. 7 Walker Still brings a certain amount of chaos to the position but supported Mahrez eagerly. Booked in the sixth minute for a foul from the Fernandinho playbook. 7 Kompany Looked to have controlled Andre Gray well, only to be beaten too comfortably by Troy Deeney for Watford's goal. 6 Otamendi Has lost a little of last season's magic but remains a savvy operator. Missed a decent chance when he rose highest to meet a first-half corner from Gundogan. 6 Zinchenko Another assured performance, and beginning to whip crosses into the box like he's Benjamin Mendy. Perhaps the Frenchman has been giving him some tips in training. 7 Gundogan A game that suited him with ample time on the ball, he was one of the most creative forces. On top of that, he did a good job in breaking up any Watford breaks. 8 Bernardo Simply never stops running, harassing defenders for every single second of the game. Unfortunate that some excellent deliveries were not given the finish they deserved. 8 Silva City's metronome keeps on ticking and he was always there to keep attacks moving across the pitch. A phenomenal effort over the last few months. 7 Mahrez Showed his quality on the ball with some teasing crosses and - perhaps more importantly - earned the appreciation of the crowd for his work off the ball. Provided the assist for Sterling's second. 8 Sterling After a subdued first-half where nothing seemed to work for him, he sprung to life in the second half and he showed the opportunism of a world-class forward for at least two of his three goals. 9 Aguero Another game where the ultra-defensive approach of the opposition meant he barely got a sniff at goal. Missed a free header from eight yards in the first half but his workrate is relentless. 7 Substitutes Sane (for Sterling, 64): Helped stretch the Watford defence as they tired. 6 Jesus (for Aguero, 80): Looked lively. 7 Foden: Came on late for Mahrez. 6 Not used: Muric, Danilo, Laporte, Delph.<doc-sep>2 Find out how all of the action unfolded in the North-West courtesy of Sports Mole 's minute-by-minute updates below. Gerard Deulofeu netted a consolation for Watford shortly after being introduced as a substitute, but Watford never threatened an unlikely comeback. Raheem Sterling put City ahead shortly after the restart - albeit in controversial circumstances - and the winger added two more to complete his hat-trick before the hour mark. Manchester City have recorded a 3-1 victory over Watford in Saturday's Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium. Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Hello and welcome to's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Manchester City and Watford. City are looking to move four points clear at the top of the table, while a point will be enough for Watford to move into seventh position. The two teams are making their way out onto the pitch at the Etihad Stadium, so let's see who features in each starting lineup... MANCHESTER CITY XI: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Zinchenko; Bernardo Silva, Gundogan, David Silva; Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Zinchenko; Bernardo Silva, Gundogan, David Silva; Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling WATFORD XI: Foster; Janmaat, Britos, Kabasele, Mesina; Feminia, Capoue, Doucoure, Cleverley; Gray, Success KICKOFF: City get us underway. Watford have made seven changes for this game, and City have already set about taking advantage of that. The home side have dominated the opening few minutes. YELLOW CARD! That said, Watford also look lively on the counter and Walker is booked for a scissor challenge on Success. That counter from Watford has at least made City realise that this game will not be one-sided if they approach it the wrong way. The home side have the ball back, and are probing away. CHANCE! That probing leads to Mahrez sending an inswinging cross in for David Silva, but the Spaniard can only send his glancing header wide of the far post. Again, Watford show ambition going forward with Gray getting in behind the City defence, but the forward's cutback is deflected into the grateful hands of Ederson. City are back in the ascendancy, but no more chances have been created by the home side. Guardiola's men are yet to really force the pace. The home supporters also feel relaxed, despite their team not keeping the pressure on Watford. It is still early days of course, but there is no intensity to this match. Better from City as David Silva gets down the left-hand side of the penalty area, but the midfielder's strike is straight at Foster. YELLOW CARD! Cleverley is the second player to be booked having committed a foul on the edge of the penalty area. Nothing comes from the resulting free kick. City revert back to taking their time on the edge of the area, but they have at least increased the pressure on the visitors. Most of the threat is coming down the left. A low cross from Zinchenko is intended for Aguero at the back post, but Foster tips the pass wide of the post. Watford have already started with the time-wasting, and it has resulted in boos from the crowd. Don't be surprised to see a Hornets man cautioned before too long. The game has started to open up a bit more. Watford are asking questions of City when they break forward and they are targeting Walker, who is on a yellow card. CHANCE! City should be ahead. Bernardo Silva's inswinging cross from the right is perfect for Aguero who is waiting at the back post, but the Argentine somehow heads wide from six yards out. Sterling gets in behind the Watford backline and appears to have the pace to advance into the penalty area, but Janmaat gets back to make a superb sliding challenge on the winger as he tries to get a shot away. City are forcing Watford back onto their own 18-yard line, and you get the feeling that this spell of pressure could pay off. Watford are back to wasting as much time as they possibly can from goal kicks and throw ins. It will surely lead to a caution sooner rather than later. Just the 10 minutes to go before the break. City are still probing away, but an opening goal doesn't seem imminent. In all fairness to Watford, they have played this perfectly so far. The goalkeepers have just played two direct passes to each other, which takes some doing! Watford will be more satisfied than Guardiola watching on the sidelines. You can feel the frustration building at the Etihad Stadium, and the referee's failure to give the home side a corner for a deflection off Feminia does not help matters. There has been a bit more urgency from City over the past couple of minutes. I don't think that it will be enough to satisfy Guardiola, however. There will be one minute of added-on time. CHANCE! An opening is created for Aguero on the left-hand side of the penalty area, but his shot towards the near post is parried wide by Foster. CHANCE! Watford partially clear the resulting corner to Mahrez on the edge of the area, and the Algerian sends a half-volley flashing wide of the post from 20 yards out. HALF TIME: Manchester City 0-0 Watford The half-time whistle goes at the Etihad Stadium and we remain goalless. City dominated for much of that first half, but they have lacked their usual level of intensity. Watford haven't had a shot, but Gracia will be delighted with his side so far. A quick look at the two benches... MANCHESTER CITY: Muric, Danilo, Laporte, Delph, Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Foden WATFORD: Gomes, Deulofeu, Deeney, Sema, Cathcart, Quina, Holebas KICKOFF: Watford get us back underway. GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Watford (Raheem Sterling) GOAL! City lead, but it is an outrageously bad decision. Aguero diverts the ball into the path of Sterling - who is offside - and the goal is initially chalked off. However, after lengthy discussions, the goal is given.<doc-sep>Scoreless at halftime Sterling nabs quarter-hour hat trick Deulofeu scores off bench Raheem Sterling‘s quickfire hat trick started with a controversial ruling as Manchester City beat Watford 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Gerard Deulofeu scored for the Hornets, who will feel aggrieved that Sterling’s seemingly offside first goal was ruled onside for unusual reasons. City increases its table lead to four matches before Liverpool hosts Burnley, while Watford will stay 8th unless Wolves are worked over by Chelsea on Sunday. [ MORE: Watch full PL match replays ] David Silva flew to head a Riyad Mahrez cross toward goal, but the ball flicked wide of the goal as Man City came close to a ninth minute opener. Watford’s second unit, so to speak, was stout and took some work to break down. Aguero’s pounded down header of a powerful Bernardo Silva cross just missed the near post in the 29th minute. Foster made a fine leg stop on Aguero five minutes later, and Mahrez just missed the upper 90 in stoppage time as Watford made it to halftime on level terms. [ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ] Raheem Sterling was ruled offside in the 46th minute after Aguero played him through for a finish. But wait… a conversation between referee and linesman ended with the decision for a goal, as Sterling was fine because a clearing attempt hit Sterling and went into the goal. A head scratcher. City made sure to put some distance between itself and the decision through a Mahrez cross through the box for a Sterling tap-in. [ MORE: Premier League schedule ] 1-0 City. 2-0 City. Both for Sterling. First one controversial, hinging on interpretation of offside rule and when a player becomes active. I thought Sterling was offside but I'm sure I'm misinterpreting Rule 252c — Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) March 9, 2019 [ MORE: Premier League stats ] Story continues David Silva then cued up Sterling for the hat trick, the Englishman needing plenty of work to cut in front and finish. Watford pulled one back when Troy Deeney flicked a header to substitute Deulofeu for a goal with the Spaniard’s first touch of the match. Gabriel Jesus would’ve felt he was about to slot for 4-1 when Christian Kabasele slid to block his 85th minute shot.<doc-sep>
Manchester City vs Watford: TV channel, live stream, squad news & preview Pep Guardiola's side know that a win will help them open the gap at the top of the table to four points and place further pressure on Liverpool Having enjoyed no midweek fixtures for the first time in almost a month, Manchester City will be hoping to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they host Watford on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s Citizens lead the table heading into the final months of the season and know that three more points will place the pressure on Liverpool to remain in touching distance. The hosts will be wary however of the Hornets, who themselves are attempting to mount a successful campaign to clinch a Europa League berth following a fine campaign under the stewardship of Javi Gracia. Game Manchester City vs Watford Date Saturday, March 9 Time 5:30pm GMT / 12:30pm ET Stream ( US only) fubo TV (7-day free trial) TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial). New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser. US TV channel Online stream Telemundo Deportes En Vivo fubo TV (7-day free trial) In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 4K UHD. It can be streamed on the BT Sport Live app. UK TV channel Online stream BT Sport 1/BT Sport 4K UHD BT Sport Live Squads & Team News Position Man City squad Goalkeepers Ederson, Grimshaw, Muric Defenders Walker, Danilo, Laporte, Stones, Otamendi, Sandler, Zinchenko, Kompany, Mendy Midfielders Gundogan, De Bruyne, B. Silva, D. Silva, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Foden Forwards Aguero, Jesus, Sterling, Sane Pep Guardiola is without Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgium international picked up a hamstring strain against Bournemouth. Aymeric Laporte has returned to training for the Citizens but is still expected to not make a return until after the international break. Confirmed Man City starting XI: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Zinchenko; Gundogan; Bernardo Silva, David Silva; Sterling, Mahrez, Aguero. Position Watford squad Goalkeepers Foster, Gomes, Dahlberg Defenders Mariappa, Kabasele, Cathcart, Britos, Wilmot, Prodl, Masina, Janmaat, Navarro Midfielders Cleverley, Capoue, Sema, Pereyra, Chalobah, Doucoure, Quina Forwards Deeney, Deulofeu, Success, Gray, Penaranda Despite no fresh injury concerns, Javi Gracia opted for seven changes for his side from the team that beat Leicester. Rather than Troy Deeney, Garvia has decided to go with Andre Gray to lead the line. Confirmed Watford starting XI: Foster; Janmaat, Britos, Kabasele, Masina; Femenia, Doucoure, Capoue, Cleverley, Success; Gray. Betting & Match Odds City are overwhelming 1/7 favourites to win this match with Bet365 . Watford can be backed at a distant 16/1 while the draw is priced at 13/2. Match Preview Manchester City will be hoping that their absence of midweek commitments over the past few days for the first time in nearly a month will have left them somewhat refreshed when they play host to Watford on Saturday. The Citizens welcome their Premier League rivals to the Etihad Stadium having regained control at the top of the table last weekend following Liverpool’s slip-up in the Merseyside derby against Everton. Pep Guardiola’s team now lead by a point and thanks to an earlier kick-off this weekend, know that they have the chance to add three more and increase the gap to place psychological pressure on the Reds. With a Champions League crunch clash against Schalke also on the horizon, they will be looking to deliver a cut-and-dry performance to pick up the win in their own backyard. Javi Gracia’s side, however, are stacked with talent themselves and have proven to be tenacious on occasion this season, though they will be more than aware of the magnitude of the task at hand to deliver an upset. Hornets winger Gerard Deulofeu, who previously played under Guardiola in La Liga with Barcelona, admitted that he has great respect for the Spaniard and that he hopes to reunite with him one day . “He is a great coach, a lovely person and I have very good memories of that time but I would have liked to have had a full year with him,” the 24-year-old said.