The games are coming thicker and faster than ever for Manchester City as they face Watford on Tuesday, just two days after their raucous draw with Arsenal.
Manchester City enter the Carabao Cup in round three and face Championship side Watford in their first outing.
However, a comfortable tie has been made much tougher by the fact City are having to take to the field just two days after their incredibly draining 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
City have had no choice but to play on Tuesday, rather than the more ideal Wednesday, because neighbours Manchester United face FC Twente at Old Trafford in their opening Europa League match on that day.
Although United could have played on Thursday, given they don’t play again until Sunday against Tottenham, UEFA refused to move the fixture and Greater Manchester Police would not sanction both Manchester clubs playing at home on the same night, something that hasn’t happened for nine years.
Pep Guardiola’s side have felt the brunt of the debacle and must take to the field again with hardly any time to recover from such a physically and emotionally draining match.
The ridiculous turnaround comes just a week on from Rodri’s pertinent comments about footballers’ ever-growing workloads and the increased likelihood of injury, with the Spaniard then suffering a potential season-ending blow at the weekend.
Here is everything you need to know about the game.
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Manchester City vs Watford kick-off time
Manchester City take on Watford in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, September 24. The game will get underway at the Etihad Stadium at 7:45 pm.
How to watch Man City vs Watford
Sky Sports will broadcast the match but it will not be available on any of their traditional channels.
Man City vs Watford Sky Sports+ live stream
Aston Villa’s trip to Wycombe Wanderers has been selected for broadcast on Sky’s main channels, so City vs Watford will be shown on Sky Sports+ alongside two other League Cup games, three League One fixtures and a host of EFL Trophy match-ups.
Sky Sports+ is not available on old Sky boxes or Sky Go on PCs, laptops and console devices.
Instead, to access a Sky Sports+ live stream, you must have a complete Sky Sports pack and have the Sky Sports app on your mobile or tablet device, Sky Q or Sky Glass.
Then log in using your Sky ID on the app and you should be able to watch the City game once it begins broadcasting at 7:40 pm.
Man City vs Watford team news
City’s nightmare scenario finally came to pass on Sunday when Rodri left the field with what appeared to be a serious ACL injury.
It’s not yet clear just how long Rodri will be on the sidelines or the extent of his injury, but early signs indicate the crucial midfielder may miss the rest of the season.
Rodri will not be available on Tuesday, nor will Oscar Bobb or Nathan Ake and probably not Kevin De Bruyne, either.
With such a quick turnaround between matches, Guardiola will likely ring the changes, with the likes of Stefan Ortega, Rico Lewis, James McAtee, Mathes Nunes, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic all in line to start.
Watford, meanwhile, are only without centre-back Kevin Keben.
Referee and officials
David Webb will take charge of his first City game on Tuesday and VAR will not be in operation for the match. The full list of officials is:
- Referee: David Webb
- Assistants: Mark Dwyer and Matthew Smith
- Fourth official: Matthew Donohue
Prediction
Even after such a strenuous game just over 48 hours earlier and with several changes expected, City should still cruise to victory against Watford.
The Hornets have not won since late August and were hammered 4-1 by Norwich City at the weekend, with City loanee Callum Doyle scoring and grabbing an assist.
City should be able to pick up a big victory as they advance in the tournament.
Prediction: City 4-0 Watford
