Manchester City can move to the top of the Premier League if they defeat Watford this evening.
Current leaders Chelsea suffered a 3-2 defeat at West Ham in the early kick-off, meaning City can leapfrog them and go two points clear if they win.
City have enjoyed an excellent week with successive 2-1 victories over West Ham and Aston Villa and will be aiming to pick up another three points at Vicarage Road.
While the Blues have a spotless recent record against Watford, having won the last three encounters by an aggregate score of 18-0, the Hornets have proven a handful for big sides in recent weeks after defeating Manchester United 4-1 and taking Chelsea to their limit last week.
Pep Guardiola has received a big boost as Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones and Kyle Walker are all available after missing the trip to Villa Park, as well as Aymeric Laporte who has served his one-game suspension.
Ferran Torres is now the club's only absentee.
We'll bring you all the build-up to this evening's game here.
Liverpool win at the death against Wolves
City's other title rivals were on their way to a draw but Origi has won it at the death. Liverpool will now go top but City can go above them as well with a win.
Tonight’s selection also offers a hint to Tuesday's match vs Leipzig
Tonight’s selection also offers a hint to Tuesday, when City have already topped their Champions League group. Steffen, Stones, Ake, Jesus, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Fernandinho and Mahrez can all expect to start against RB Leipzig, with Scott Carson the only one on the bench tonight that will likely miss out.
Rodri and Bernardo stay in the team despite Pep concerns
Pep has spoken of his concern for Rodri and Bernardo, and the amount of football they have been playing - but both have been asked to go again today.
The team is freshened up from midweek, with Raheem Sterling the only player to keep his place in the front three as Phil Foden and Jack Grealish step back in - will be interesting to see who plays where in that trio.
Pep is in a good mood
Pep Guardiola has been very relaxed and happy in recent press conferences. A small part of it may well be down to him being happy that journalists are back in the room with him but it is no surprise to see him smile when he watches this group of players every day in such good form. For all the injury issues at Villa, the first XI still looked like a top City side and that spirit needs to be kept for as long as possible to keep the Blues on track for trophies.
A change to today's referee
Late change of ref at Vicarage Road, with Kevin Friend testing positive for Covid, we understand.
That means fourth official Simon Hooper will step up to take charge of the game, with Rob Jones taking his place. The news came through this morning, so no last-minute rush for the Premier League
How Watford line up
Man City starting XI vs Watford
Phil Foden is back! Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish are all back in the side too.
Sterling starts
City boosted by several returns
Will they start
Huge chance for City today
City haven't yet been top of the table this season and it has felt like Chelsea and Liverpool have been trumpeted more because of their improvement on last year. Chelsea have - or had - the best defence, Liverpool have the best attack, but City could go top of the table for the first time by getting the best combination of defence and attack.
The scene is set
Four players nominated for Man City Fans' Footballer of the Year
t's been a superb 2021 for Manchester City, as they won back Premier League title and reached the Champions League final for the first time in their history.
Although City fell at the final hurdle in Europe, there's no doubt plenty of players laid down a marker with their performances under Pep Guardiola.
Footballer of the year can be defined in many ways, whether it's off pitch contributions, sheer quality of performances or the player that's made the biggest impact on the club — though in City's case there is quite the choice.
We gave our resident chief City writer Stuart Brennan the task of selecting the four MEN nominees for City's Fans' Footballer of the Year. Here's what he said.
We could see Phil Foden back in action today
Phil Foden's injury hasn't been serious to keep him out of a few games but it has been enough for the player to be concerned about it. Guardiola suggested that the player has recently started training without thinking about the issue so you'd expect him to get some minutes today - even if off the bench - and also pick up a start next week in Germany.
Ederson praises Bernardo's goal vs Villa
Pep Guardiola warns Man City players over his 'mad' selection decisions
Pep Guardiola needs every Manchester City player ready to start in case he makes a 'mad' decision that none of them were expecting.
Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker and John Stones were all ruled out of the midweek trip to Aston Villa within 48 hours of the game and there were five academy players named on the bench as injuries took their toll.
Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo have played every minute of the four matches since the return from the international break and Guardiola is aware of the physical demands they have had to endure.
See what he said here.
Watford won't have good memories of facing City
The last time City played here was memorable for all the wrong reasons for Watford. A 4-0 thrashing opened up relegation zone danger with just weeks to go in the Premier League and Aston Villa won later that evening to leapfrog the Hornets and send them on their way to the Championship. Under Ranieri, Watford haven't exactly been watertight at the back but they will at least give it a go and try to trouble Ederson.
Today's venue
How Man City should line up against Watford in Premier League
Pep Guardiola will welcome back at least one first team player as he takes his Manchester City side to Watford, and could have six others available as the injury 'emergency' looks to be clearing up
Injuries and fitness concerns mean City are down to just 12 outfield players, plus the returning trio of Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne. Those three all trained this week after Guardiola said that they will travel to Watford for the Saturday teatime clash.
Aymeric Laporte will definitely be back available after serving a one-match suspension, and City have been further boosted with the news that Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker and John Stones will all travel down South with the squad after missing the Villa win with 'niggles'.
Whether any of those six doubtful players will be available to start is another question, so Guardiola could again turn to youth after naming five under-23 regulars on the bench at Villa Park.
Read how our writers think City should line up here.
West Ham lead
Great news for City.
City team news
Manchester City have been given a huge boost ahead of their trip to Watford, with FOUR players returning to the squad after injury.
And with Phil Foden - who sat out the midweek win at Aston Villa on the subs bench - also ready to go again, the Blues' only absentee now is Ferran Torres.
Kevin De Bruyne will travel with the party to north London today, along with Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones and Kyle Walker, who were all missing in what Guardiola called an "emergency" as his team went to Villa Park and won 2-1.
And with Aymeric Laporte eligible again after serving a one-match suspension, the Blues are close to having a full squad from which to choose.
West Ham level at Chelsea
If the result stays like this then City could go top with a win this evening.
Good afternoon
Welcome to MEN Sport's LIVE coverage of Manchester City vs Watford.