Manchester City are back in action tonight in the Carabao Cup against Watford.
City only played less than 48 hours ago against Arsenal in the Premier League, and that game is still very much being analysed.
It was an incident-packed game at the Etihad Stadium, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
It is back-to-back draws now for City after Pep Guardiola‘s side were held by Inter in the Champions League last week, and the manager will be keen to get back to winning ways tonight in the Carabao Cup against Watford.
City are the overwhelming favourites, and the team will no doubt be radically different to the one that started against Arsenal.
Man City predicted line-up vs Watford – Matheus Nunes, James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly all get first starts
It is a very quick turnaround from the Arsenal game, and so, it would be no surprise if Pep actually put out a completely new team to face the Hornets.
In goal, Stefan Ortega will surely come in for his first appearance of the season, with Ederson to get a rest.
Rico Lewis could come back into the side having not seen any minutes against Arsenal, with Josko Gvardiol to play on the left.
In the middle, John Stones – fresh from coming off the bench to score a last-gasp equaliser against Arsenal – will surely start, potentially alongside Manuel Akanji.
In midfield, there might be an opportunity for young Nico O’Reilly, who hasn’t made a first-team appearance yet. £53 million signing Matheus Nunes – previously branded ‘exceptional’ by Guardiola – is likely to start, after playing just 20 minutes across three substitute appearances so far this season.
James McAtee could also play in midfield next to Nunes.
In attack, Phil Foden could be given a start tonight in a bid for him to build some momentum. He has made a slow start to the new season after coming back late and suffering from illness. With Erling Haaland expected to miss out, he could operate as a false nine.
Then out wide, Jack Grealish could play on the left after only getting a cameo against Arsenal.
On the right, Savinho might start again, purely because Pep does not have many other options.
Man City predicted line-up vs Watford (4-3-3): Ortega/Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol/O’Reilly, Nunes, McAtee/Savinho, Foden, Grealish.
