Manchester City welcome Brentford to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night in an all-Premier League Carabao Cup quarter-final showdown.
Pep Guardiola’s side booked their place in the last eight with a comfortable 3-1 win over Swansea City.
Man City have dominated the competition in recent years, lifting the trophy six times in eight seasons between 2014 and 2021.
However, they have not won it since beating Tottenham Hotspur in the 2021 final.
That makes tonight’s contest an important marker, especially as Man City have gone on to win the trophy after each of their last six quarter-final victories.
Guardiola has rotated his squad well, guiding Man City past Huddersfield Town and Swansea with little fuss. The hosts also head into the game on the back of five consecutive wins across all competitions.
Man City clinically dispatched Crystal Palace 3-0 in the Premier League last weekend and will be confident of extending their winning streak at the expense of another London club.
How Man City could line up
Guardiola is expected to name a heavily rotated side for tonight’s fixture, with next weekend’s home game against West Ham United in mind.
Goalkeeper James Trafford will likely return to the team for the first time since the 2-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
There should be changes to the backline, although Nico O’Reilly will likely reprise his role at left-back.
With John Stones struggling with injury, Nathan Ake returns for the first time in over a month.
Abdulkodir Khusanov should join the out-of-favour centre-back in the heart of defence, while Rico Lewis lines up at right back.
Tijjani Reijnders should start at the base of midfield with Savinho, Rayan Cherki, Oscar Bobb and Bernardo Silva ahead of him.
With Omar Marmoush jetting off to the Africa Cup of Nations, Erling Braut Haaland will lead the line.
Predicted Man City starting XI
(4-1-4-1): Trafford; Lewis, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly; Reijnders, Silva; Bobb, Cherki, Savinho; Haaland.
