Manchester City XI vs Watford: Confirmed team news, injury latest and predicted lineup

Pep Guardiola has confirmed he is awaiting scans on both John Stones and Nathan Ake following Manchester City’s win over Brighton.

The Premier League champions returned to the top of the table on Wednesday night but the three points appear to have come at a cost, with the duo potentially depleting the backline even further.

Kyle Walker is already suffering with an ankle problem, while Ruben Dias has only recently made his return to action after a hamstring injury.

Further forward, there are no such concerns, although City’s huge Champions League semi-final meeting with Real Madrid could come into Guardiola’s thinking. It is very much a case of balancing things.

On paper, the champions should have enough to deal with a Watford side plummeting towards relegation, although the absences are certainly a worry.

Manchester City predicted XI (4-3-3): Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Silva, Gundogan, Jesus, Foden, Grealish

Doubts: Stones, Ake

Injured: Walker

Register now for one of the Evening Standard’s newsletters. From a daily news briefing to Homes & Property insights, plus lifestyle, going out, offers and more. For the best stories in your inbox, click here.