Edin Dzeko (R)
Edin Dzeko [Reuters] Reuters

Manchester City face Championship side Watford in the fourth round FA Cup fixture at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 3pm GMT. Catch the highlights of the game on FA Cup Highlights on ITV 1 and ITV 1 HD.

Overview

City progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup after a replay against Blackburn Rovers in the previous round. Manuel Pellegrini's men drew the first game 1-1 away, but made no mistakes in the second and recorded a 5-0 victory at the Etihad stadium. Strikers Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo netted two goals each while Sergio Aguero returned from injury to add his name to the score sheet.

In their last fixture, City won 3-0 against West Ham United at Upton Park to confirm their place in the Capital One Cup final. The Citizens defeated the Hammers by an aggregate score of 9-0 over the two legs of the semi-final. Aguero's goal in the middle of the first half was sandwiched between Negredo's strikes on either side of the half.

City have played 22 matches in the league and sit second in the table with 50 points having scored over 100 goals in all competitions in the current campaign. Pellegrini will be hoping for his side to maintain their goal scoring form as he intends to lead his side towards silverware on all four fronts this season.

Watford too booked their place in the fourth round after needed to play replay against Bristol City. The Hornets drew the first game away from home, but won 2-0 at Vicarage Road stadium courtesy of goals from Davide Faraoni and Lewis McGugan.

In their last fixture in the Championship, Giuseppe Sannino's men drew 1-1 at the Dean Court Ground. Gabriele Angella gave the visitors the lead with a powerful header on the cusp of half-time but Lewis Grabban equalized from the penalty spot in the second-half..

Watford have drawn last eight of their away matches this season and are 15<sup>th in the Championship with 31 points after 26 matches.

What Managers Say

Manuel Pellegrini Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini [Reuters] Reuters

Manuel Pellegrini: "Watford may not be having a great season in the Championship but they will be motivated when they play us because this is the FA Cup and they will want to beat a Premier League side. We are expecting a difficult game but we want to progress in this competition."

Giuseppe Sannino: "This game should be a gift for my players, I know we played there last season but I still believe it is a gift. We don't want a game where we watch them and don't do anything – we want to create some problems even though they are where they are in the League. If we keep our composure and our shape during the game, we should have a good time."

Team Form

Manchester City

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W W W W
  • Last Result: West Ham United 0-3 Manchester City

Watford

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): D W L D D
  • Last Result: AFC Bournemouth 1-1 Watford

Team Guide

Manchester City

  • Injured: David Silva (hamstring), Alvaro Negredo (shoulder), Samir Nasri (knee)
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Probable Lineup: Pantilimon; Richards, Nastasic, Lescott, Clichy; Milner, Garcia, Fernandinho, Lopes; Jovetic, Dzeko

Watford

  • Injured: Hector Bellerin (ineligible), Tommie Hoban (ankle), Essaid Belkalem (ankle), Lewis McGugan (thigh), Iriney (ankle)
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: Alexander Merkel, Fitz Hall

Probable Lineup: Almunia; Angella, Ekstrand, Cassetti, Pudil; Faraoni, Battocchio, Abdi, Anya; Deeney, Forestieri

FA Cup