Match Preview: Manchester City Carabao Cup action on Wednesday night against Tottenham Hotspur

Match Preview: Manchester City Carabao Cup action on Wednesday night against Tottenham Hotspur

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, embraces Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, prior to the Premier League match between Manch…

Manchester City are in Carabao Cup action on Wednesday night against Tottenham Hotspur.

Pep Guardiola is looking for his side to continue their terrific start to the new season, and face a Spurs side who have just lost to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

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The day after City beat Southampton 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium, Ange Postecoglou’s men then became the first team to lose to Palace in the Premier League this season.

They will be looking to bounce back, and may fancy their chances against Manchester City are home, having enjoyed good results there in previous meetings.

But City have actually now won on their last two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and that psychological barrier is no more.

Here is a team Guardiola could field tomorrow night in London.

Man City predicted XI v Tottenham in Carabao Cup – Nathan Ake and James McAtee to start
Nathan Ake of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Manchester City and AC Sparta Praha at City o…
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Guardiola suggested after the win over Watford in the second round that it is his intention to make changes in the Carabao Cup.

He sees the competition as an opportunity to get minutes into the legs of those on the fringes, so City fans can expect several changes against Spurs.

Stefan Ortega tends to play the cup games for City and there is no reason why he would not start against Spurs.

John Stones came off the bench at the weekend and is likely to come into the backline. Manuel Akanji might be his partner, with Ruben Dias having played a full game against Southampton and then attended the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Rico Lewis could continue inverting from right-back if Kyle Walker remains unfit. Nathan Ake will surely replace Josko Gvardiol. Gvardiol has emerged as a big threat now for Ake, so this is a chance for the £41 million Dutchman to try and raise his stock a little.

In midfield, one would imagine there will again be chances for youngsters Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee.

Ilkay Gundogan started on the bench against Southampton and should be relatively fresh to play from the beginning against Spurs. It could be that O’Reilly and Gundogan operate as a double-pivot with McAtee playing as a number 10.

Man City and Tottenham Head-to-Head
Man City wins – 68
Draws – 37
Tottenham wins – 66
via 11v11
With Guardiola potentially wanting to give Erling Haaland a rest, we could well see Phil Foden play as a false nine, perhaps interchanging with McAtee.

Matheus Nunes and Savinho could both keep their places as the wingers, providing they are feeling fit.

With Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku both unavailable, Guardiola may not really have any other choice than to start the pair once again.

Should Guardiola go with this exact team, then it would mean six changes from the side that started against Southampton.

Manchester City predicted lineup vs Tottenham Hotspur: Ortega, Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Ake, O’Reilly, Gundogan, McAtee, Savinho, Foden, Nunes.

Tottenham Hotspur will face Manchester City in a fourth-round clash in the Carabao Cup this Wednesday.

Ange Postecoglou, is known for securing trophies in his second season at previous clubs, and he’ll be hoping to uphold that record here.

Spurs narrowly edged out Coventry City 2-1 in their last Carabao Cup fixture, relying on a late rally to progress.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has indicated he will rotate his squad, though City’s depth remains impressive even with several key players missing. City also advanced with a close 2-1 victory over Watford in the third round.

Team News

Both managers’ team selections could prove decisive. Postecoglou has been vocal about his desire to capture silverware, and he is expected to field a strong lineup, with Heung-min Son likely leading the attack if fit.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall will also push for inclusion, while defensive roles may be filled by Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray.

Manchester City’s XI may blend youth with experience, as Guardiola looks to balance squad rotation with competition priorities.

Academy players could make appearances, alongside experienced stars like Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden, offering fans a glimpse of City’s future talent.

Head-to-Head Record.

Historically, Manchester City holds a slight edge in this fixture, winning 68 of their encounters to Tottenham’s 66, with 37 matches ending in a draw.

Possible Lineup.

Ortega

Lewis, Stones, Akanji and Ake.

Gundogan, Foden and Bernardo

Savinho, Haaland and Doku.