Manchester City’s rampant form means Watford can play with no pressure at the Etihad Stadium, claims Ben Watson.

City saw a winning run of 18 league games finally come to an end on New Year’s Eve with a surprise 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace – a game which saw the Eagles miss a stoppage-time penalty.

Regardless, the runaway Premier League leaders remain unbeaten in the top-flight this term and are firm favourites ahead of tonight’s game.

Watson is happy to play the underdog role in Manchester and says getting any sort of result would be a bonus.

“It is a tough game but we go to the Etihad under no pressure whatsoever,” Watson said. “Obviously they are possibly the best team in Europe at the moment and that is not going to be easy.

“We will go there, give it our best shot and see what we can get out of the game.

“They are playing on a lot of confidence and have taken the Premier League by storm. They have ripped it to shreds but they have to lose one day, hopefully that is against us.”

Watford have already experienced the full force of City’s attacking prowess and went down to a 6-0 hammering against Pep Guardiola’s side in September.

Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick that day and City put on a performance to rival some of the finest seen at Vicarage Road from a visiting side.

While revenge is not on Watson’s mind, he is aware of the need for the Hornets to put in a better display than they did in their first encounter with City this term.

He said: “I think that game they were incredible and have world class players. Everything about them at the minute is pretty impressive.

“We have to go there and be better than we were when they came here.”