Manchester City meet Brentford in the second Quarter-Final of the 2025-26 Carabao Cup.
Victory would see Man City reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2020-21 season, which coincidentally was the last time that Brentford progressed beyond this stage.
Team News
Jeremy Doku is ruled out for Man City after he missed their 3-0 Premier League victory at Crystal Palace due to a leg injury.
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush are ineligible because the pair are away on international duty at Africa Cup of Nations.
John Stones (thigh), Mateo Kovacic (foot) and Rodri (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Brentford will welcome Kevin Schade back into contention after he was suspended for their 1-1 draw at home to Leeds in the Premier League.
Dango Ouattara and Frank Onyeka are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, so are ineligible for Brentford’s next few matches.
Reiss Nelson (knock), Fabio Carvalho, Josh Dasilva and Antoni Milambo remain sidelined with ACL injuries.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Brentford at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 17 December at 7:30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City won their only previous League Cup tie against Brentford 5-3 on aggregate in Second Round of 1989-90 edition, having lost 2-1 away then won 4-1 at home at their former home – Maine Road.
- This is Brentford’s first League Cup visit to Man City at the Etihad Stadium.
- Erling Haaland has scored three goals in Man City’s last two home games against Brentford (W2), albeit in the Premier League.
- Man City have lost their last three clashes against Premier League opposition in this competition (L3).
- Brentford have scored seven goals without conceding in their two away ties in this season’s competition (W2), as they won 2-0 at Bournemouth in Second Round then 5-0 at Grimsby in Fourth Round.
Prediction
Having clinically beat Palace in a display where they had to defensively weather the Eagles’ regular spells of dominance and execute their chances, Man City should get back to their own dominant ways here such is their quality and form even if there is rotation.
Brentford meanwhile were certainly made to fight for their draw against Leeds in which their attack lacked a sharp final touch and composure at times, whilst their defence was solid but ultimately a late switch-off cost them the win.
Keith Andrews’ Bees though are going to have to be consistently switched on here if want to stop Man City, especially after their narrow league defeat in October, but I just can’t see City losing this on current form at home.
Prediction: Man City 2-0 Brentford
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