Manchester City vs Watford Preview

May 16, 2019
By: Daniel Orme

Manchester City will be aiming to seal a domestic treble on Saturday evening as they take on Watford in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

The Citizens have already scooped the Premier League and Carabao Cup this season and will look to continue their trophy streak under boss Pep Guardiola with their fifth FA Cup triumph and their first since the 2011 success against Stoke City. Meanwhile, Watford head to the capital aiming to upset the odds and lift their first ever piece of major silverware. The bookmakers are backing the recently crowned Citizens to be the victors and are at odds of 1/7 with Betfred to lift the trophy, whilst the Hornets can be backed at a price of 9/2.

The respective forms of the two teams could also provide clues as to how the game could potentially go at Wembley. Guardiola’s troops have been in brilliant form throughout the campaign. In all competitions this season, they have only failed to win nine games. Out of a possible 60 matches, that is highly impressive. Elsewhere, Javi Gracia’s team have let their form slip at the worst possible time. The team have only managed to win one out of their last six games in all competitions and that solitary victory saw them only just squeeze past relegated Huddersfield Town 2-1 at the John Smiths Stadium. Consequently, the Citizens are favourites once again to win the game within 90 minutes at odds of 2/9 with Coral. The Hornets are at 11/1 to break their poor form and win the game in 90 minutes, with a draw being priced at 11/2.

One aspect that some supporters could possibly expect is entertainment, especially with the goalscorers on show at Wembley. Sergio Aguero has scored ten goals in just seven appearances against Watford in all competitions and is at 13/5 with Paddy Power to open the scoring in the final. Gerard Deulofeu, who was the hero for Watford in the semi-finals by scoring two goals to win the game, can be backed at 14/1 to score first.

Regarding injuries, Gracia has a pretty much fully fit squad to choose from for the final, with only two absentees. Austrian defender Sebastian Prodl is still out with a knee injury. Domingos Quina also remains on the sidelines with a dislocated shoulder. Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is able to be called on for City again after he returned to action as the Citizens clinched the title in their win against Brighton and Hove Albion. However, Fernandinho is a slight doubt having missed the last three games of the Premier League season with a knee injury. Long-term absentees Benjamin Mendy and Claudio Bravo remain restricted to the sidelines.

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