2026-27 Carabao Cup: Third Round – Man City vs Norwich

Manchester City host Norwich City in the concluding tie of the third round in the 2026-27 Carabao Cup. 

Victory would see defending champions – Man City avoid losing at this stage for the second time in four seasons.

Norwich meanwhile are looking to advance into the fourth round for the first-time since a four-season streak of fourth-round appearances between 2015-19.

 

Team News

Phil Foden is suspended for Man City as he begins a three-match ban following his red card for violent conduct in City’s 1-0 Premier League win at local rivals, Manchester United.

Jeremy Doku could return from a calf injury which has kept him out for much of the season so far.

Norwich have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 4-3 Championship defeat at Middlesbrough last weekend.

Lucien Mahovo (ankle) and Ali Ahmed (ACL) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Man City host Norwich on Thursday 17 September in a 7:30pm BST kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, live on Sky Sports+ in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Man City have won all four previous League Cup ties against Norwich (W4), albeit over six meetings after their first tie needed two replays following 1-1 and 2-2 draws before City won 6-1 in the second replay (W4, D2).
• Norwich lost 1-0 in their only previous League Cup visit to City’s current home – Etihad Stadium at this very stage in September 2007.
• Man City are unbeaten in their last seven League Cup matches played at home (W7).
• All six of Norwich’s goals in the opening two rounds were scored by six individual goalscorers – Mohamed Toure, Anis Ben Slimane, Ben Chrisene, Andre Brooks, Mathias Kvistgaarden and Ante Crnac.

 

Prediction

Although City are defending champions and unbeaten in their last seven home matches in this competition, Enzo Maresca will probably rotate and give fringe players a chance which always carries a risk but the bench should be strong enough to produce the quality if needed.

Norwich though have nothing to lose and after their late defeat at Boro in a game where they came from 3-1 down after scoring first, they should hold little fear in a match where they’ve got nothing really to lose so I do hope that they go for it here.

City though should comfortably win this if they take the tie seriously and don’t underestimate Norwich’s attacking threats.

Prediction: Man City 3-1 Norwich