Time to head back to the changing room. Watford's players have been put through their paces, jogging off the pitch for one last word from Walter Mazzarri. 

Troy Deeney trudges off last, stopping to sign some autographs before high-fiving all 11 of the Manchester City mascots. What a nice chap.

Think your skipper should be on the bench, Watford fans??

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Etihad Stadium

John Stones has been on the bench this season, against Bournemouth in the Premier League and Celtic in the Champions League.

On those occasions though, City were flying and it seemed Pep Guardiola was merely utilising his squad.

This feels different. That Bournemouth game was one of only two occasions when City have kept a clean sheet in the Premier League this season.

It is a statistic that simply has to change if they are to achieve Guardiola's ambitions for them this season.

Dropped Manchester City centre-back John Stones has a face like thunder as he warms up. Looks like he's just found out his partner has been cheating on him. Furious.

Image source, Reuters

Troy Deeney is one short of 100 goals for Watford in all competitions. He has been stuck on 99 since 1 October, having failed to score in his past eight appearances.

Could coming off the bench help him reach the ton?

If Nolito's footballing skills are as slick as his hair then City fans are in for a treat. I've seen less grease on a freshly fried chunk of battered cod.

Image source, Getty Images

For a time it looked as though Yaya Toure would not play another Premier League game for Manchester City.

But tonight, after being brought back into Sgt Pep's band, the back-in-favour midfielder is racking up his 200th league appearance for the Blues.

And joining Yaya in reaching that notable milestone is team-mate David Silva.

Both players joined the Blues in July 2010, making their debuts in the season-opening goalless draw at Tottenham.

Image source, Getty Images

Strong indie-band theme to the Etihad pre-match playlist tonight. 

Oasis (obvs), The Stone Roses, The Wombats. Even the obligatory Christmas song is provided by The Darkness. 

The Manchester City players huddle in the Etihad tunnel waiting for the last couple of stragglers before going out en masse to warm up.

Watford's lads are already stretching those muscles on a strangely-warm Manchester night. No need for the 'skins' and gloves tonight.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Etihad Stadium

By his own admission, Pep Guardiola is a man under pressure but the Manchester City boss is stressing the positives in his programme notes.

"I know it is not easy for supporters to see the positives when we lose," he said, recalling Saturday's 4-2 defeat at Leicester.

"It is easy to criticise after a defeat but we are in the top four, only seven points off the top and we are also in the last 16 of the Champions League.

"I remain confident we can have a big season."

So the big news from the Manchester City teamsheet is that the name of John Stones is listed under the substitutes. 

Centre-back Nicolas Otamendi comes back in after a one-match ban as Pep Guardiola makes five changes from the 4-2 defeat at Leicester.

Left-back Gael Clichy, central midfielder Yaya Toure, winger Raheem Sterling and forward Nolito also start.

Image source, #bbcfootball

And there is also a glaring omission in the Watford side. Captain Troy Deeney drops to the bench after failing to score in his last eight matches.

Odion Ighalo and Jerome Sinclair - his first start since arriving from Liverpool in the summer - form a new-look strike partnership for the Hornets, while winger Roberto Pereyra and defender Daryl Janmaat return.

Image source, #bbcfootball

Image source, Reuters

Brexit. Trump. Pep Guardiola's methods being questioned. 

What a mad year it has been...