Manchester City vs Watford: Latest City team news and predicted City starting eleven | OneFootball

Following their 2-all draw with Arsenal in Premier League action on Sunday Manchester City will take on Watford at the Etihad Stadium tonight. The two teams will clash in the third round of the Carabao Cup just 49 hours after City’s clash with Arsenal. Here is the latest City team news and a look at what starting lineup Pep Guardiola may go with for tonight’s match.

Latest Manchester City team news

Manchester City will enter tonight’s match with a host of first-team players unavailable.

Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb will miss tonight’s match with long-term injuries. Joining them will be City’s midfield general Rodri. The Spanish international is likely to miss the remainder of this season with an ACL tear. Moises Llorens broke that news yesterday for ESPN.

Kevin De Bruyne is also unlikely to play against Watford. Pep Guardiola told the media following City’s draw with Arsenal that tonight’s match has likely come too soon for De Bruyne to feature.

Lastly, Erling Haaland will miss tonight’s game as reported by Simon Bajkowski for Manchester Evening News. Bajkowski reports that Haaland has returned to Norway to attend the funeral of close family friend Ivar Eggja. Furthermore, Bajkowski reports that Haaland should be back to play against Newcastle United this Saturday.

Predicted City starting eleven

Stefan Ortega- Ortega should start tonight. He is traditionally City’s cup keeper and it would be a shock if he didn’t start tonight’s match.

Rico Lewis- The England international should slot in at right-back.

John Stones- Fresh off the back of his heroics against Arsenal Stones should be in the starting lineup tonight. He needs 90 minutes so he can build into the new season.

Manuel Akanji- One of Ruben Dias or Akanji are likely to be rested tonight and I believe Akanji will start.

Josh Wilson-Esbrand- Tonight’s game could be the ideal opportunity for Wilson-Esbrand to impress. With Nathan Ake out he should start to give Josko Gvardiol a rest.

Nico O’Reilly- With Rodri’s injury O’Reilly may have a significant role to play going forward this season. He should start tonight as he bids to make an impression.

Matheus Nunes- Nunes now has the opportunity to stake his claim for more prominent role with Pep Guardiola’s side. Rodri’s injury has opened up an opportunity for Nunes to impress. It’s up to him to seize it.

James McAtee- Tonight’s match is the perfect opportunity for McAtee to impress. Starts will likely be few and far between for McAtee this season so if he does start tonight he must make it count.

Jack Grealish- He made a decisive cameo appearance against Arsenal and Grealish should start tonight.

Jeremy Doku- Although Doku did start against Arsenal he does appear to be out of form at the moment. A good performance against Watford may kickstart his season.

Phil Foden- With Haaland unavailable I expect Foden to lineup as a false 9. He’s another player that needs minutes so that fact should see Foden start tonight.