Saturday 2 January 2016 18:03, UK
Jamie Redknapp is tipping Manchester City to win the Premier League - but says they'll face a tough task against in-form Watford on Saturday Night Football...
After a frustrating December, City will be hoping to kick off the New Year with a win at Watford. But their defence will have to pass a huge test for them to do that. This is a horrible game for Man City to start 2016 with.
The best thing that came out of their 0-0 draw with Leicester on Tuesday was the clean sheet. It will be a nice confidence boost for Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala, who have previously struggled when Vincent Kompany has been injured. But Watford will pose the pair of them real problems.
How Watford play isn't rocket science. They're solid at the back, their two central midfielders hold their position and allow their skilful wide men to take on their markers, while Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo cause problems up front.
However, over the past three or four years, centre-backs have become used to playing against one up top. That means one of your centre-backs is always spare, allowing them to pass the striker between them or step out with the ball when they're in possession.
Watford - and Leicester, although they play in a different style - have presented Premier League defences with a different problem by reverting to 4-4-2. Now, both centre-backs are forced to mark a striker each.
That means both centre-backs are always under pressure. You don't get a minute's peace when you play Watford. It's not something teams are used to and Watford have had great success with the tactic.
If Man City aren't at it on Saturday, winning second balls, pressuring Deeney and Ighalo, competing every time the ball goes in the box, they'll lose. It's as simple as that. Just ask the Liverpool players, who were blown away 3-0.
Watford lost to a last-minute winner against Tottenham on Monday but were right in the game and, perhaps if they hadn't had Nathan Ake sent off after an hour, would have got a result.
This isn't going to be an easy task for City - and remember, this is a City team that hasn't won away from home in the Premier League for three months.
You don't get a minute's peace when you play Watford. Their 4-4-2 formation isn't something teams are used to and Watford have had great success with the tactic.
They've been hit by injuries to key men - Sergio Aguero, Kompany and David Silva - but at the halfway point in the season they're just three points off the top of the table and are still my tip to win the title.
However, given the talent in their squad and the money they've spent assembling it, the pressure is on for them to deliver in the second part of this campaign.
Arsenal are obviously in with a great chance too, and I believe the title race is between the pair of them.
A win against Watford would get City off to a good start to 2016. But they have to be well prepared for what they're going to come up against and match their hosts in every department.
If they don't do that, then Otamendi and Mangala will be in for a very tough evening.
Watch Watford v Man City live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5pm on Saturday Night Football.
