Watford v Manchester City: Team news, predictions, odds, statistics, quotes & kick-off time

The game kicks off at 1500 BST at Vicarage Road and will be screened live on Sky Sports 2.

Watford v Manchester City: Our prediction 

Nick Hext writes... Manchester City are virtually assured of a top-four finish and victory on the road at Watford will make sure of an automatic spot in next season's Champions League group stage.

City's three-point advantage and superior goal difference to Arsenal has the Gunners fighting what will prove to be a losing battle but fourth-placed Liverpool are only two points behind Pep Guardiola's men.

Finishing third or fourth is the difference between a two-legged qualifier or diving straight into the Champions League group stage so Guardiola knows that winning at Vicarage Road is a must.

That leads me to expect City to make a quick start and I really like the 5/2 for the most goals to be scored in the first half.

I reckon the visitors can put this match to bed before the break and they've netted twice in the opening period of both of their last couple of outings.

City are unbeaten in their previous seven league games and I don't give much hope to the upset, especially with Watford confirming this will be Walter Mazzarri's last match as manager.

The Italian has done a creditable job in charge of the Hornets but a five-match losing run has ultimately put the stamp on his departure after just one season in charge.

Rumours of dressing room unrest persist so I think it's safe to say we won't see a final flourish from his squad to send Mazzarri out in style.

I think City can get among the goals but my concern is they will step off the gas if the victory is assured.

Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero could make this a very long afternoon for Watford but I'm expecting the majority of action to come early during this match.

That makes the 12/5 for the most goals before the break my best bet.

Prediction: Watford 0-3 Manchester City

Watford v Manchester City: Team news

Watford captain Troy Deeney is likely to miss Walter Mazzarri's final game in charge against Manchester City on Sunday.

Deeney is a doubt for the match at Vicarage Road with a hip injury and Adrian Mariappa could also sit out after picking up a knock in training.

Mariappa's absence could leave Mazzarri short in defence. Sebastian Prodl is suspended while Younes Kaboul (hamstring), Craig Cathcart (knee), Christian Kabasele (hamstring) and Miguel Britos (calf) are all struggling for fitness.

Defender John Stones could return to the Manchester City starting line-up.

The England centre-back returned as a late substitute in the midweek Premier League win over West Brom after six games out with a groin injury.

Midfielders Fabian Delph (leg) and Ilkay Gundogan (knee), and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (calf) are out while right-back Pablo Zabaleta makes his final appearance for the club. There is also uncertainty over the futures of Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas, Willy Caballero, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy, who are all out of contract this summer.

Teams:

Watford (from): Gomes, Zuniga, Mariappa, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Janmaat, Behrami, Okaka, Deeney, Pantilimon, Amrabat, Niang, Eleftheriou, Success, Watson, Cleverley.

Manchester City (from): Caballero, Gunn, Zabaleta, Sagna, Stones, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy, Kolarov, Toure, Fernando, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Sane, Sterling, Nolito, Navas, Silva, Aguero, Jesus, Iheanacho.

Watford v Manchester City: Manager quotes 

Walter Mazzarri (Watford)

On his releationship with Troy Deeney: "I want to speak about the facts. Deeney is a player who scored more than last year, he played a lot this year and he helped the team reach the 40 points. This is what counts for me, nothing else.

"My choices this season have always been for the best of my team.

"When he was out it was because there was a decision (to be made). I knew why he had to go out. I want to thank him again and the players for giving 200 per cent."

On the damage caused by injury absences: "For someone that always wants more I always have the image in my head of when we were seventh and we beat Everton.

"I would like to have that squad for the rest of the season and then I think we would have been able to do greater things this year.

"Never in my career have I had so many injuries in one season. There were some games I did not even know who to put on the pitch. But, honestly, I don't have any regrets."

On announcing his departure before the final game: "I think it was the right choice.

"It also allows the last day to be a festive day with everyone happy because we will only be thinking about celebrating the team and not other things.

On learning English: "I am still learning the language.

"I understand almost all the questions but I use the translator to give the perfect answer and not miss anything. (Mauricio) Pochettino took two years to learn the language."

Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)

On going for all three points: "We still have 95, 96 minutes to fight to do one thing that's so important for the club and the future. It's a crucial game for us. It's a final, an absolute final.

"Of course, it's in our hands. It depends on us. We just look at what we have to do, win the game.

"Watford were one team during the season we had a good result against at home. We travel to London for that.

"Every game has pressure. Every game we play for everything, but it's in our hands. It doesn't depend on Arsenal or Liverpool. It depends on us. We have to go there and win the game."

On the threat posed by Watford: "I believe a lot in the football players. Football players are so professional. They want to win, they want to make a good performance.

"It's the last game, so in the end Watford have made a good season (because) from weeks ago they were safe.

"When you analyse player by player, they always have very good players. You have to be careful."

On under-achieving in the league this season: "Normally the big teams always fight until the end and after that you can win or lose it.

"In the Premier League, we didn't fight until the end because two teams were better than us and we dropped a lot of points at home. We must improve on that next season.

"The gap to the leaders is big. We have to have to work harder next season to reduce that gap."

On summer plans: "I have learned about my players. I have learned about what you have to do to make these players better and win the games. During the year you always improve.

"We are going to make changes and, of course, a lot of players are going to remain."

Watford v Manchester City: Opta facts

o Watford have failed to beat Manchester City in their last seven league encounters (D2 L5), losing each of the previous three Premier League contests.

o The Citizens have scored 2+ goals in six of the last nine league clashes between the two sides, including exactly two goals in each of the last three. 

o Sergio Aguero has scored four goals in his last three games against Watford in all competitions, including an FA Cup hat-trick against the Hornets in January 2013.

o The Hornets are unbeaten in their three Premier League final day matches (W1 D2), with all three coming at Vicarage Road.

Watford v Manchester City: Sky Bet odds  

Watford are the outsiders at 15/2 with Sky Bet to win, with Manchester City odds-on at 4/11 while the draw is 19/5. Sergio Aguero is the 11/4 favourite to score the first goal, for the home side Troy Deeney is seen as most likely at 9/1. City are 100/1 to miss out on a top-four finish, while Watford are priced at 13/8 to be relegated next season.

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