Back this 9/1 Manchester City vs Watford bet-builder on Tuesday

The mid-week action resumes on Tuesday as the remaining fixtures from the Carabao Cup's second round are played out. 

My initial plan was to put up another accumulator for us all to sink our teeth into but, if I'm honest, there wouldn't have been much point given the matches in question. 

The combined odds for all of Tuesday's favourites came just over even money - safe to say there isn't much value on the winner's line this time around!

Nevertheless, I thought I'd focus solely on Manchester City's hosting of Watford at the Etihad as Pep Guardiola's men look to move a step closer towards booking one of their four annual visits to Wembley in February. It's getting boring now, lads. 

We don't have much to go off in terms of team news at the time of writing but the Spaniard will surely rotate after his side's fractious 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday evening. 

Without further ado, let's dive in!

Brad Walker's Manchester City vs Watford bet-builder selections

Selection #1 - Manchester City to win

Guardiola could make eleven changes to his lineup for this one and I still think we'd all fancy City to win handily when all's said and done. 

The Citizens' home record is phenomenal - they've not lost in their last 48 matches at the Eithad in normal time, though Arsenal did come mightily close to ending that run before John Stones' last-gasp equaliser at the weekend.

City also haven't lost a home fixture in this competition since a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United back in January 2020. Even then, Guardiola's men prevailed to the final after winning 3-2 on aggregate.

Watford also look to have hit a stumbling block at the worst possible time as far as this match is concerned. Tom Cleverley's side got off to a great start in the Championship, winning their opening three matches. 

Form has dipped since, though. The Hornets are now winless in their last three matches, two of which have ended in defeat, including a 4-1 walloping away at Norwich at the weekend.

Selection #2 - Over 3.5 goals scored (Evens)

When you think of this City side, you think of goals, largely because of their remarkable striker Erling Haaland. 

The Norwegian netted the opener against Arsenal at the weekend and, somehow, already has 10 Premier League goals to his name before the end of September. Whether he'll feature on Tuesday is another matter - Guardiola will likely opt to rest the 24-year-old ahead of a tough visit to Newcastle on Saturday. 

Nevertheless, the home side still possess plenty of firepower in their ranks to score heavily in this one. No side scored more than their 96 goals in the league last season, where City had three players with 10 or more goals to their name. 

City have plenty of goals flowing throughout their squad. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Their 2-2 draw with the Gunners also meant three of their four league outings have seen 3.5+ goals scored - two of which came at the Etihad. 

As far as Watford are concerned, Cleverley's men have failed to score in just one of their six matches in the Championship so far, despite the recent drop in form. They've also hit a combined seven goals across their first two matches in this competition so far.

Both sides' most recent meetings also suggest we could be in for a goal-fest. Granted, they've not played each other since April 2022, but each of their last three encounters have all seen four or more goals scored. 

City themselves scored five, three and four in each of those three games in question.

Selection #3 - James McAtee to score anytime (2/1)

Should Guardiola opt to rotate as expected, among the names coming in will surely be attacking midfielder James McAtee. 

The 21-year-old spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United, netting 12 goals in the process.

McAtee is now set to enjoy this term as part of City's senior squad and started in his side's penalty shootout victory over United in the Community Shield, while also featuring in all of City's four matchday squads in the Premier League so far.

His versatility in being able to play either in midfield or as a winger will surely appeal to Guardiola, who will be looking to strike a balance between competing on all fronts and resting senior figures when capable. 

Should he be granted the opportunity, a goal here could be the start of a breakout season for the youngster.

McAtee could be one of numerous changes made to the City lineup. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Selection #4 - goals scored in both halves (4/9)

City's 2-1 win over Brentford earlier this month is the only time there hasn't been a goal scored in both halves across their five opening league matches. Yoane Wissa's early strike was quickly met with a Haaland double to give the champions the lead at half-time, which they maintained until the final whistle. 

There has been a similar theme in Watford's start to the campaign.

Five of their opening six have seen at least one goal scored in either half, including the drubbing at Carrow Road on Saturday. 

Given City's superior quality and domination of possession, it's little wonder to see goals in both halves come in at a skinny odds-on price of 4/9.