The EFL Cup draw happened, and now we know the opponents. Who will Manchester City face in the third round?
It really wasn’t in doubt when, live via a Twitter feed, the Carabao Cup third round was drawn and City had to travel. Of course United got a nice home draw against Burton Albion. Meanwhile City, yet again, saw themselves away to Premiership opposition. The date and time of that fixture have now been announced via the City Twitter page.
Wednesday, September 20th at 8 pm. Four days after our visit to Watford and three days before Crystal Palace come to our house. Coming a week after our initial Champions League fixture, what side will Pep put out?
Much has been made of domestic cup away fixtures involving City. If we get through against West Brom, where will we travel next? Last season, in the same competition, City were first drawn away to Swansea before then being drawn away to Manchester United. Our journey to the FA Cup Semi Final was similar. Other than an away trip to Huddersfield, who are now a Premier League side, the rest of our opponents were to Premier League competition, and away from the Etihad. In fact, other than a replay with Huddersfield, I am not sure the last time City played a domestic cup game in front of our fans at our ground.
In the 2015/16 season, it was a similar story. Our FA Cup run came to an end away to Chelsea after beating Norwich and Aston Villa at their grounds. We did play Everton at home in the League Cup Semi Final, but that’s was because it is a two-legged affair for that round.
December 2015 we were to host Hull City, although they were not in the Premier League at the point. The previous round was at home to a Premier League side, Crystal Palace. So you have to back almost two years for the last time we were drawn at home to a Premiership side.
Next: Manchester City and Arsenal can both win in this swap deal
Manchester City will travel to the Hawthorns to face West Brom. At the moment, no one is sure if Jonny Evans will be lining up with us or against us.