Oxford United look to spring a cupset as they host Manchester City at the Kassam Stadium in Wednesday’s big Quarter Final tie of this season’s Carabao Cup.
Oxford are looking to reach only their fourth Semi-Final of any major cup competition, but face a City team who have lost just one Quarter-Final of a major domestic cup competition this decade.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesBen Woodburn is absent for Oxford United as he continues to recover from a foot injury, which has sidelined him in recent months.
Malachi Napa (leg), George Thorne (shoulder), Anthony Forde (knock) and Simon Eastwood (knee) are also ruled out.
Jamie Hanson (hamstring) and James Henry (thigh) are doubts but could feature if both pass late fitness tests.
Man City could have David Silva available after the midfielder missed Sunday’s win over Arsenal with a knock.
Sergio Aguero meanwhile is close to a return but won’t be risked in this match, ahead of Saturday’s huge league clash against Leicester.
Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane remain long-term absentees with knee injuries, alongside John Stones (hamstring).
Stat Attack
- Oxford United lost their only previous League Cup clash against Manchester City, losing 3-0 in the Third Round in September 2018.
- Manchester City are unbeaten in three of their last five clashes with Oxford United in all competitions (W2, D1, L2).
- The Us have only reached this stage once in 29 attempts since winning this competition in 1985-86 season, doing so in 1987-88 when they progressed to the semis before losing 3-1 on aggregate to Luton Town.
Prediction
Oxford have enjoyed a great cup run which has included two huge scalps in West Ham and Sunderland, so Man City should be slightly more afraid than they were last season coming into this fixture.
City however are still a dangerous team despite their defensive issues when away in Cup competitions in past two seasons to lower league opposition, which is what every great team must be and that will benefit them here.
I however can see a respectable result because Pep Guardiola will definitely be making changes during the match on top of the starting lineup, which will give Oxford hope but not enough to pose a threat.
Prediction: Oxford United 0-2 Manchester City
Result: Oxford United 1-3 Manchester City