Watford v Manchester City: betting preview, free tip and TV details

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Watford v Manchester City in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League, 6pm Tuesday

Best bet

Man City-Man City double result
2pts 20-21 bet365, BoyleSports

Team news

Watford
Midfielder Etienne Capoue faces a late fitness test while Daryl Janmaat, Gerard Deulofeu and Isaac Success are ruled out.

Manchester City
Sergio Aguero is still out. Fernandinho, Rodri and Phil Foden will all be hoping to be involved.

Match preview

The Premier League was shocked on Sunday when Nigel Pearson became the third Watford manager of the season to lose his job but there are likely to be no surprises on the scoreboard after the Hornets have played Manchester City.

It is often pointed out that a board can be keen to give the new man in the dugout a free hit in his first game, but you could be excused for thinking the Vicarage Road top brass have taken this to the extreme.

The Hornets have two games to save their Premier League lives and you can still get 5-2 that they will be playing in the Sky Bet Championship next season.

But caretaker-boss Hayden Mullins could not have been handed a tougher first game than facing off against Manchester City.

Watford were thumped 8-0 at the Etihad in September, four months after they had suffered the biggest Wembley FA Cup final humbling when they lost 6-0 to Pep Guardiola's crack squad.

City claimed a 2-1 win at Vicarage Road last season but on their two previous visits to south-west Hertfordshire, they had posted 6-0 and 5-0 victories.

To make the task even harder for Watford, Guardiola will be anxious to see a positive reaction from his charges after a poor performance in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final.

They created chances but it would be difficult to suggest Arsenal did not deserve the 2-0 win that sent them through to the final and it was in marked contrast to their recent performances.

Players such as Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling were lacklustre and even Kevin De Bruyne looked off his game.

City had been unlucky to lose at Southampton after bombarding the Saints goal and they have won seven matches since the league resumed, six of which have been earned without conceding.

Their domestic assignments mean little now but while many eyes will be on their Champions League clash with Real Madrid, places are going to be up for grabs and that should provoke a better performance.

Pearson's departure was a surprise mainly because it seemed the job of staying up had almost been completed.

Admittedly, Watford were poor in the first half of their 3-1 defeat at West Ham, but they look to have done most of the hard work after gaining home wins over Norwich and Newcastle.

A point for the Hornets would be enough to condemn Bournemouth to the second tier and a victory for Watford would leave Aston Villa needing two hefty wins to save themselves.

But it seems logical to expect a strong City performance, whether it is from the players who disappointed against the Gunners or those who will want to seize their opportunity.

Guardiola's resources are vast while Watford just desperately need to get over the line. They may not be able to hold out until half-time with City expected to step up a gear.

Key stat

Manchester City have won their last 12 matches against Watford.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits.

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport