Geoff Doyle
BBC Three Counties Radio sport

The problem Roy Hodgson - and Watford - has is his system is better set up for an away game. Soak up pressure, allow the opposition to have more possession and exploit on the counter-attack.

The way Arsenal play it could work today. But against teams outside the top six it's a system which is difficult to warm to.

Watford knew what they were getting when they hired Hodgson.

Supporters will have to hope that his style will start getting them points at home as well as away if they are to stand any chance of surviving in the top flight.

Watford

Image source, Reuters

Watford boss Roy Hodgson has won just one of his 12 Premier League home games against Arsenal (D4 L7), winning 1-0 with Fulham in August 2008.

His final home match in charge of Crystal Palace ended in a 3-1 defeat to the Gunners in May last season.

Freddie Ljungberg
Former Sweden international on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

As a whole, I think Manchester City are a machine.

They’re such great individuals but they always play as a team. It feels like a united team, but if you look at Manchester United, it looks like individuals playing football. It doesn’t look right.

Image source, Reuters

Half an hour until kick-off at Vicarage Road where the sun has made an appearance. Arsenal are warming up in tops that hurt your eyes if you look too long.

Dion Dublin
Former Man Utd striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

There’s a problem with a person or people at Manchester United. Information about rifts or players not being happy should never leave the dressing room. That’s a problem for Manchester United.

Then people jump on the bandwagon. That’s when the rumours start and you get headlines.

Seven home defeats in a row? That's HORRIFIC. You have to go back to 20 November for Watford's last win in front of their own fans when they hammered Manchester United 4-1.

Image source, Reuters

Geoff Doyle
BBC Three Counties Radio sport

Image source, Reuters

Watford are still fighting for their lives and the draw at Manchester United last weekend was another point on the board in the bid for survival.

Since Roy Hodgson became manager, the Hornets' away form is pretty good; one win, two draws and a defeat. In contrast, the home form has continued where it left off under Claudio Ranieri, with two rather miserable losses at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets have lost their past seven at Vicarage Road and the home fans need some proper cheering up.

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC 5 Live

With Cristiano Ronaldo, there is no need for a big intro. But [if he is out], what happens if Man Utd play really well in the [Ralf] Rangnick system and get a result? Does one of the greatest of all time come back in for the next game?

Arsenal

Image source, Reuters

Mikel Arteta isn't getting carried away by claims Arsenal are favourites to finish fourth.

The Gunners start in sixth spot but will move above both West Ham and Manchester United - who play Manchester City at 16:30 - into fourth with a win at Vicarage Road.

Arsenal have four games in hand over West Ham and three over Manchester United.

"The reality is that we are not fourth, we are sixth still and if we win those games - and we have to win those games - we know what we have to do to get there," said Arteta.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

With three wins in a row, Arsenal are on a nice little run at the moment, and they are well placed in the race for fourth.

Compared to Manchester United and Tottenham, the Gunners have got the advantage of a settled squad that are all pulling in the same direction, while they have far more strength in depth than West Ham.

Mikel Arteta's side have found the knack for winning games when they don't play well or things go against them, which is down to the manager - he has made them a team again.

Watford got a great draw at Old Trafford last week but they rode their luck to leave with a point and the same will have to happen for them to get anything here.

Lawro's prediction: 1-2

Image source, Rex Features

It's almost FIVE YEARS to the day since Arsenal last played a Champions League game - a crushing 5-1 home defeat by Bayern Munich on 7 March 2017.

Will they be dining at Europe's top table next season?

Another two-and-a-bit hours before the team sheet for the Manchester derby drops but Cristiano Ronaldo will not feature, according to The Athletic.

BBC Radio 5 Live

BBC Radio 5 Live will have live commentary on both of today's games from Vicarage Road and Etihad Stadium. Steve Crossman and guests are building-up to both matches right now.

Watford make three changes from their 0-0 draw with Manchester United.

Kiko Feminia and Joao Pedro are back and Cucho Hernandez comes into the team.

Ismaila Sarr, who has a hamstring injury, Jeremy Ngakia and Joshua King all miss out.

Watford: Foster, Kamara, Samir, Femenia, Cathcart, Cleverley, Louza, Sissoko, Pedro, Dennis, Hernandez.

Substitutes: Bachmann, Etebo, Masina, Sema, Kabasele, Kalu, Sierralta, Kucka, Kayembe.

Image source, .

Arsenal are unchanged from their 2-1 win over Wolves.

Emile Smith Rowe is still out through illness while Takehiro Tomiyasu has not recovered from a calf injury in time to feature.

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Soares, Xhaka, Partey, Martinell, Saka, Odegaard, Lacazette.

Substitutes: Leno, Holding, Pepe, Tavares, Lokonga, Elneny, Nketiah, Swanson, Hutchinson.

Image source, .

Image source, Reuters

Will Emile Smith Rowe return to Arsenal's starting line-up? Who will replace Ismaila Sarr - out with a hamstring inury - for Watford?

Team news from Vicarage Road is on its way.

Top bloke: Big weekend in the title race. Liverpool maintain momentum. Man City have a banana skin (Man Utd).

Martin Keown
Former England defender on Football Focus

Image source, Reuters

Manchester City have to play with their heads, not their hearts. It’s got to be in a programmed manner, and they get that from their manager.

It won’t be easy in this game, but City will just stick to their plan of passing the ball.

Image source, Rex Features

Liverpool fans praying for a Manchester United win? Unthinkable in normal circumstances.

Image source, Getty Images

It's the calm before the storm as Manchester City get ready to host neighbours Manchester United in a derby that could have a big bearing on the Premier League title race - as well as the scramble to finish in the top four.

Pep Guardiola's leaders are three points clear of nearest rivals Liverpool after the Reds' 1-0 win against West Ham on Saturday.

When asked about the Manchester derby following that game at Anfield, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said "of course we are interested in it".

If City lose, Liverpool would have the chance to go top of the Premier League next weekend, when they play at Brighton on Saturday and their rivals do not play until the Monday when they visit Crystal Palace.