Evening everyone! We have eight Premier League fixtures in the calendar tonight as we jump into the hectic winter schedule. Right here, we will be focusing on the meeting between Manchester City and Watford at the Etihad Stadium. Usually, this would be seen as a comfortable fixture for Pep Guardiola's side, but given that they have lost their last two matches in a row, it may not be so straightforward.

City were tipped as title contenders before the season began, largely because of the arrival of Guardiola. The Spaniard is an experience winner having earned 21 trophies during managerial stints at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but he is having a difficult spell at the moment. The club have dropped seven points off the pace following back-to-back defeats against Chelsea and Leicester City.

As for Watford, Walter Mazzarri's team will be aiming for a top-10 finish this season, and at the moment things are going to plan as they are currently ninth in the standings having earned 21 points from 15 games. After losing to Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion, the Hornets bounced back last weekend with a 3-2 win over Everton at Vicarage Road.

Right, before we go an further let's bring you the lineups for both sides, beginning with the hosts...

MAN CITY XI: Bravo; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Kolarov, Clichy; Gundogan, Toure; Sterling, De Bruyne, Silva; Nolito
Subs: Caballero, Sagna, Fernando, Navas, Sane, Stones, Iheanacho

WATFORD XI: Gomes; Janmaat, Prödl, Britos, Holebas; Pereyra, Guedioura, Capoue; Amrabat, Ighalo, Sinclair
Subs: Pantilimon, Kaboul, Kabasele, Zuniga, Watson, Success, Deeney

Guardiola has made five changes to the team that were beaten by Swansea as Nicolas Otamendi comes back into the side after serving a one-game suspension. He comes in for John Stones, while Gabriel Clichy replaces Bacary Sagna. In midfield, Yaya Toure starts in place of Fernando, while Jesus Navas makes way for Raheem Sterling and Nolito leads the line instead of Kelechi Iheanacho, who drops to the bench.

Walter Mazzarri has made four changes to the side that came from behind to beat Everton. Juan Zuniga drops out of the defence and is replaced with Daryl Janmaat, while Roberto Pereyra returns after serving a one-match ban, resulting in Valon Behrami dropping out of the first XI. In terms of attack, Odion Ighalo and Jerome Sinclair, who gets his first start for the club, replace Stefano Okaka and Troy Deeney respectively.

The fixtures are coming thick and fast in the Premier League as we hit a crucial time in the season. Usually, the standings after Christmas give a good indication as to where clubs will finish come May, or at least provide a clear target. This period is becoming even more vital for City as they have dropped seven points behind league leaders Chelsea.

Guardiola's men have failed to pick up a point in their last two league fixtures. In the clash against Chelsea at the Etihad, City came out of the blocks firing and piled pressure on their opponents' defence. The dominance eventually paid off at the end of the first half when Jesus Navas's cross deflected off Gary Cahill and into the back of the net.

However, it was a different story after the break as Chelsea fought their way back into the contest with a goal from Diego Costa on the hour mark. Willian put the Antonio Conte's side into the lead with a goal of his own 10 minutes later, and it was Eden Hazard who rounded off Chelsea's triumph with a 90th-minute strike.

Not only was it a disappointing result for City, the closing stages of the match ended sourly as Sergio Aguero was given a straight red card for a horror tackle on David Luiz, while Fernandinho was also sent off for pushing Cesc Fabregas over an advertising hoarding. As a result, Aguero was handed a four-match ban and his teammate a three-game suspension.

With Leicester in poor form, City were hoping to respond to their defeat to Chelsea with a comfortable win over Claudio Ranieri's team at the King Power Stadium, but they were stunned by the reigning champions in the first 20 minutes. Jamie Vardy ended his goal drought by striking in the third minute, while Andy King doubled the Foxes' lead two minutes later.

City were soon 3-0 down following another goal from Vardy, who ended up bagging a hat-trick to help Leicester to a stunning 4-2 win. Aleksander Kolarov and Nolito got on the scoresheet for the Sky Blues, but they proved to be consolation goals in the final eight minutes of the match.

Questions are still being raised over City's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. The Chilean, who joined the club from Barcelona in the summer, is yet to settle into Premier League life, and it seems as though the manager's approach of playing out from the back is causing him some grief in England. The thing about Guardiola, though, is that he is stubborn and will not adapt his philosophy or tactics. It is hard to argue with him considering the success that he has had, but it is clear that he is taking time to master Premier League football.

The ex-Barcelona coach also raised eyebrows when he revealed that he does not focus on tackles in training. City failed to win a single tackle in the opening 35 minutes of the game against Leicester, and Guardiola does not feel that his players need to work on that aspect of their game.

"The second balls is a concept that is typical here in England when they use a lot about the tackles. I am not a coach for the tackles so I don't train the tackles. What I want is to try and play good and score goals and arrive more [in the box]. 

"Yes the duels you have to win that's true. But normally when you play good you win a lot of tackles but after four minutes 2-0 in the mind of the players [they say] 'what's going on, what happened' and it's not easy for them. That's why it's another aspect of the football but in the end we're not going to win or lose for the tackles." 

The issue with City right now is that the players do not seem to know what their roles are on the pitch. There has been plenty of confusion at the back, which could be down to the nervous energy emanating from the keeper. John Stones has been inconsistent in the heart of defence, while against Leicester we saw that the attacking players lacked that clinical touch. It doesn't help that they will be without Aguero for a further three games (including this one).

STATS! The two-time Premier League champions have been victorious in just four of their last 15 games in all competitions having drawn six and lost five. It is in stark contrast to the start of the campaign when they won their first 10 matches. Interestingly, City have kept just two clean sheets in the league this season - only Crystal Palace, Hull City and Sunderland have fewer.

Guardiola could record three consecutive losses for just the second time in his career after suffering the blow in May 2015 while in charge of Bayern. Also, City have not gone five matches without a win since the 2007-08 campaign.

So, what about City's opponents this evening? Well, they are likely to head to the Etihad with the intention of throwing in some tackles after Guardiola's admission that his players do not focus on that aspect of the game. Mazzarri's team will be in confident mood having secured a 3-2 win over Everton at Vicarage Road last weekend.

The Hornets went behind in the 17th minute following Romelu Lukaku's goal, but the home side responded through Stefano Okaka, who scored twice, and Sebastian Prodl. Watford moved to 3-1 up in the second half, and even though Lukaku got on the scoresheet again, it was too late for the striker to inspire a comeback for Ronald Koeman's side.

It was a welcome win for Watford as they had suffered back-to-back defeats in the league prior to that match. An own goal from keeper Heurelho Gomes resigned the Hornets to a 1-0 loss at home to Stoke City on November 27, and they were beaten 3-1 by West Bromwich Albion in the following round of fixtures. In addition to the defeats, the Hornets also had players sent off in both matches. Miguel Britos and Roberto Pererya were given their marching orders against Stoke and West Brom respectively.

Ahead of the game, Mazzarri told reporters: "I said this to my players: 'If we put ourselves in front of our opponents we can fight against any Premier League team. If we are 100% ready, we can play against any team in the Premier League and battle for the three points'. This is something that gives us a lot of positivity before the game."

DID YOU KNOW? Troy Deeney is one goal shy of reaching 100 for Watford in all competitions. The forward sealed his 99th on October 1 and has failed to strike in his last eight appearances. Watford have also had 11 different goalscorers in the Premier League this season, which is a joint-high alongside Liverpool.

HEAD TO HEAD: City have a strong record against Watford having won four and drawn two of their last six league matches. It has been 27 years since the Hornets last claimed a league win over the North-West club, and that was in the second tier.

Both sets of players are out onto the Etihad pitch. We're moments away from kickoff!

KICKOFF! We're underway! City will want to get back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats, but can Watford cause an upset? Let's find out!

City have jumped out of the blocks here. De Bruyne strides down the left-hand side before delivering the ball across to Nolito, who's waiting at the near post, but the hosts manage to clear.

At the other end, Amrabat's cross gets helped along inadvertently by Toure and it drops to Capoue. The midfielder gets a shot away from the edge of the box, but his attempt soars wide.

Only five minutes in, but it's been a fairly even start to the game. City are edging it in the possession stats, but neither have created a meaningful chance at goal.

Poor from Pereyra as he ends up sending the ball into his own box. Nolito tries to get on the end of it, but Prodl gets there first and makes a clearance.

SAVE! Gomes is called upon to keep out De Bruyne's effort from the edge of the box. The resulting corner finds Nolito, who gets a shot away, but Gomes makes another stop. The ball rebounds to De Bruyne, who's flagged offside.

Comfortable for Bravo as Prodl shoots from 30 yards out. City then break and Clichy ends up crossing to Nolito in the box, and the forward's header misses the target.

Silva and De Bruyne link up well as the Spaniard plays in his teammate down the left. The Belgian lifts the ball across to the far post, but Nolito fails to make the most of it.

City are getting on top as Watford drop deep trying to prevent Guardiola's side from finding a way through.

Toure tries to make things happen as he storms through the middle of the park and into the box after getting past one defender, but he loses the ball and the attack breaks down.

BOOKING! Prodl is the first man in the book after bringing down Silva.

CHANCE! Nolito and Silva exchange passes before the forward tries to nutmeg Gomes, but the keeper saves at the near post. De Bruyne delivers the ball in from the corner flag, but Nolito's first-time hit flies wide.

Watford win a free kick in City's half. They play it short, but it's wasted as the move breaks down.

Pereyra and Zabaleta collide and it's the Watford man who comes off worse. He receives treatment before making his way back onto the pitch. He doesn't look too comfortable, but he's carrying on.

De Bruyne and Sterling link up before the England international delivers in a cross, but Watford clear the danger.

WATFORD SUB: Unfortunately for Pereyra, he's unable to continue and Zuniga comes on to replace him.

City nudge ahead thanks to Zabaleta! Prodl gives away a free kick after bringing down Nolito from behind. He's already on a yellow, so was lucky not to receive a second booking. Eventually, Nolito passes to De Bruyne, who ends up delivering a cross into the area from the left-hand side and the ball finds Zabaleta. The defender is unmarked at the back post and pokes it home.

Gunodgan is down receiving treatment after getting tackled by Amrabat. City fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that it's nothing serious.

It looks as though Gundogan is able to continue as he rises to his feet. The midfielder has been in great form recently, so losing him now would be a big blow to City.

CHANCE! De Bruyne, who has been heavily involved this evening, tries his luck from the corner of the box, but he curls the ball right into Gomes's arms.

CHANCE! A decent opportunity for Toure as he aims for goal from 20 yards out, but he misses the target and the ball sails over the crossbar.

MAN CITY SUB: Bad news for City fans as Gundogan leaves the pitch in tears and feeling the effects of the earlier injury. He slowly makes his way to the dressing room and Fernando takes his place on the field.

The fourth official indicates that there will be four additional minutes in this first half. Watford try to make the time count as Amrabat storms down the right-hand side before delivering a cross for Ighalo. The forward gets ready to aim for the near post, but Fernando drops back to snatch the ball back.

Manchester City head into the half-time interval with a 1-0 lead thanks to unlikely scorer Pablo Zabaleta. It was a slow start to the match, but Pep Guardiola's side soon began to edge possession, while Watford dropped deep. The breakthrough was eventually made shortly after the half-hour mark when Kevin De Bruyne's cross found Zabaleta, who stabbed home from the back post. There has been little threat from Watford moving forward, but we're sure Mazzarri will want that to change for the second half. We'll return shortly.

RESTART! We're back underway at the Etihad! Can Watford get back into this game or will City extend their lead?

As expected, City have come out on the attack. De Bruyne tries to create another goal as he strikes and the ball gets deflected behind for a corner.

The corner is taken short by City as De Bruyne passes to Silva before getting it back and fizzing the ball across the box. It gets past Gomes, but there's nobody there to tap it in and Watford clear.

So far, Watford haven't tried to impose much of a threat since the start of the second half. They continue to sit deep and let City come on to them.

Sterling shows his strength as he manages to get past Britos before the Watford man brings him down on the edge of the area. Free kick.

Poor effort from De Bruyne, though, as his set piece fails to find Nolito on the edge of the box. Wasteful from the hosts.

OFF THE BAR! Sterling storms down the flanks before cutting inside, turning and unleashing a shot from the edge of the box, but his attempt clatters off the bar and behind for a goal kick.

WATFORD SUB: Mazzarri makes another change as Janmaat makes way for Success. It looks as though the Hornets are not giving up on this one.

A free kick for Watford, but it's poor as Guedioura tries an ambitious effort from 40 yards out. It is nowhere near target and Mazzarri isn't impressed.

Sterling wins a free kick in a dangerous area on the right-hand side after getting fouled by Holebas, but the set piece comes to nothing from the hosts

WATFORD SUB: The final change for the visitors as Deeney replaces Sinclair.

BOOKING! Just the second yellow of the night and it's given to Capoue.

BOOKING! Zabaleta gets punished for a poor challenge on Success. The Watford forward has been creating some spark for the visitors.

SAVE! A big opportunity for Watford as Britos helps along a delivery from a free kick towards Capoue, who shoots from a tight angle, but Bravo makes a stop.

De Bruyne drops to the floor clutching his shin. City fans will be hoping for nothing serious, particularly as they already lost Gundogan earlier tonight. He seems ok for the moment.

MAN CITY CUB: Guardiola makes a change as Navas comes on for Nolito.

CHANCE! Amrabat whips the ball into the box for Ighalo, who sends the ball over the crossbar. A decent opportunity there!

City extend their lead to two with four minutes left on the clock. The hosts counter as Silva and Sterling link up before the Spaniard takes a touch in the box and glides the ball past Gomes.

MAN CITY SUB: City run down the clock as Sane replaces De Bruyne. We will have four additional minutes to play.

It's all over at the Etihad, and City are back on track with a 2-0 win over Watford. Pablo Zabaleta opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark and David Silva wrapped it up in the 86th. Watford failed to make the most of the limited opportunities that came their way and they drop to 11th in the Premier League table. City remain fourth, seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea.