Manchester City: Carabao Cup Semi Final Preview

Manchester City are playing Burton Albion in the first leg of the Carabao Cup Semi Final at home on Wednesday evening and have a good chance of progressing.

Burton Albion are currently sitting in 9th position in League One having won 10 and lost 11 of their games this season with a goal difference of plus one. It is probably true to say they have saved their best performances for their run in the Carabao Cup to date, winning impressively away at Middlesbrough to secure their semi final spot.

Burton Albion even count one ex Manchester City player in their ranks. Devante Cole, son of Andrew Cole, is currently on loan at Burton from Wigan Athletic. Devante was a youth team player at City from the age of 7 until he was released in 2015.

Following our excellent win against Rotherham United in the FA Cup there is a danger City could become too relaxed in their preparation for Burton. Pep Guardiola will be working hard to ensure nothing is taken for granted. Burton can clearly secure results and we should not take them too lightly.

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• Manchester City vs. Real Madrid: Predicted lineup for Manchester City
• Manchester City vs. Real Madrid: The 3 Keys to Victory

Whilst many consider the League Cup – the Carabao Cup – to be the trophy with the least prestige, that is not necessarily the case for the fans. In fact because so many of the match tickets  for the final are made available for fans, it is well liked by the fans. It also provides an early opportunity in the season to secure some silverware, with the final coming in the last weekend of February.

Given that Manchester City do not have another match until their game against Wolves on Monday, they have a real opportunity to play a strong team against Burton and to get the job of progressing to the final over and done with in the first leg. Racing into an impressive lead against Burton would provide an opportunity to give the fringe players a run out in the second leg.

With that in mind I am hoping Guardiola goes some way to picking his best side, which will give the media a clear demonstration of our commitment to all competitions.

Man City Square Predicted Starting XI

Goalkeeper

Muric

Defence

Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi, Aymeric Laporte, Oleks Zinchenko

Midfield

Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden

Attack

Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane