Bournemouth vs Watford
Vitality Stadium, Dorset
Sunday, 12-01-2020 @5pm
Ref: Mike Dean
Seven of the nine top-flight meetings between the two sides have finished level, the highest ratio of any fixture to be played more than twice in the Premier League. There has not been a home victory in any of their nine Premier League fixtures, with seven draws and two away wins. Watford have played more Premier League away games without defeat against Bournemouth than versus any other side in the competition (W1, D3).
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says he will make last-minute decisions on the fitness of a host of players. However, David Brooks, Charlie Daniels, Josh King and Jack Stacey will definitely not feature.
Watford have Roberto Pereyra available after his red card against Tranmere was rescinded, while Nathaniel Chalobah and Craig Cathcart have been passed fit. However, Tom Cleverley, Kiko Femenia, Will Hughes, Daryl Janmaat, Sebastian Prodl and Danny Welbeck are all out.
Aston Villa vs Man City
Villa Park, Birmingham
Sunday, 12-01-2020 @7:30pm
Ref: Jonathan Moss
Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith says Jonathan Kodjia is doubtful due to illness. Matt Targett returns after a hamstring injury while new loanee Danny Drinkwater could make his debut.
City goalkeeper Ederson should return to the starting line-up for his first appearance since he was sent off against Wolves on 27 December. Long-term absentee Leroy Sane remains on the sidelines but Aymeric Laporte will return to full training next week.
Aston Villa have lost nine of their past 11 Premier League meetings with Manchester City. Their only victory in that run came back in September 2013. City have kept a clean sheet in eight of the last 10 league encounters. They have beaten the Villans by an aggregate score of 11-0 in their last three matches in all competitions.
Manchester City have dropped 19 points in 21 league matches this season. They dropped 14 points in the whole of the 2017-18 campaign and 16 points in 2018-19. City have been trailing for five hours and seven minutes in the league this season, which is 22 minutes more than they had in their previous two campaigns combined. Under Pep Guardiola, City have lost three of their four Premier League away games in January, winning only against Huddersfield last year. They have conceded 14 goals in 10 away league games this season, three more than they did in 19 games on the road last term. Since the start of the 2011-12 season, no player has scored more Premier League goals against newly-promoted teams than Sergio Aguero’s 31.
