CITY WATFORD: BIG MATCH FACTS
zManchester City have won their last 14 meetings with Watford in all competitions and could become the first English league side in history to win 15 consecutive competitive games against an opponent. zWatford have lost 11 of their last 12 away games against Man City in all competitions, with the exception being a 0-0 draw in December 2006. Their last away win against the Citizens was in the top-flight in April 1987 (2-1). zManchester City have won 15 of their last 16 Premier League games against sides in the relegation zone (D1) since a 3-2 loss against Norwich in September 2019. Since drawing 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion in December 2020, the Citizens have won their last nine such matches by an aggregate score of 31-0. zWatford have taken just one point from 39 available in away league games against reigning top-flight champions (W0 D1 L12), drawing 2-2 at Chelsea in December 2015. The Hornets have conceded 45 goals in these 13 games, losing 8-0 at Man City last time out. zAgainst no side has Man City’s Raheem Sterling scored more goals in all competitions than his 11 against Watford, with Sterling scoring 10 times in his last six against the Hornets zWatford have lost 22 league games this season, more than any other Premier League side. The only top-flight campaign in which they’ve lost more was in 1999-00 (26).
Watford are the only side yet to score a Premier League goal from outside the box this season. Indeed, none of their last 83 top-flight goals have been from distance, since Gerard Deulofeu’s strike against Cardiff City in February 2019.
City manager Pep Guardiola has won all 10 of his meetings with Watford in all competitions, by an aggregate score of 42-4. It’s his best 100 percent win rate against an opponent in his managerial career..
three of Watford boss Roy Hodgson’s Premier League wins over Manchester City have come away from home (two with Fulham, one with Crystal Palace), only beating Newcastle more often in away games (four). zEmmanuel Dennis has scored in five Premier League games which Watford have lost this season – no player has scored in more defeats than the Nigerian this term. It’s also the joint-most Premier League games a Watford player has scored in and lost in a single campaign, level with Heidar Helguson in 1999-00.