Can Manchester City reach their first final of the season?
To do that they have to get by Bristol City who, in the first leg gained that all important away goal, so basically Bristol have to win and the odds are in their favour. They are on home ground with partisan fans roaring their team onto victory using a controversial ball which is used by the championship teams and the one chosen to be used in the League Cup.
Pep Guardiola Full Pre-Match Press Conference
Manchester City who have scored 90+ goals in all competitions, have only scored 5 goals in 4 games, a worrying statistic for Manchester City in this competition.
Bristol Citys main aim must be promotion to the Premier League, but then they would have to get used to a different ball and I wonder if that is why a lot of promoted teams struggle to stay up.
Bristol City have not won a game since 26th December, but are they piling all their eggs in one basket. In the first leg they took a shock lead but Pep’s side clawed it back and go in to tonight’s game a goal up – but it may not be enough and Manchester City will have to be on their toes to get through this game.
In Domestic competitions Manchester City have only met Bristol City in the League Cup and have never lost, however in League meeting between the sides Bristol lead 10 wins to 8.
Bristol City – Lee Johnson
🎥 Lee Johnson shares his excitement with BCTV for tomorrow night`s @Carabao_Cup semi-final second leg tie with @ManCity. #BRCvMCY
Watch in full on BCTV 👉 https://t.co/i1Wj3N1rCZ pic.twitter.com/ex1OlbzRB0
? Bristol City FC (@bcfctweets) January 22, 2018
City will assess injuries to Frank Fielding and Nathan Baker. Both these players could not continue their match against Derby County, but have had an extra day to recover.
Manchester City – What Does Pep Do?
City’s next game is in the FA Cup at Cardiff on Sunday next and that leaves 5 days, between matches but after the Cardiff match City are back in action midweek against West Bromwich on 31st.
Pep has a dilemma, go in strong and hope that no-one gets injured or play the majority of the second string and have a strong bench.
Injury News
Out
Mendy
Delph
Doubtful
Kompany
In the game against Newcastle, Zinchenko had his first start at left back, this freed up Sané to cause havoc in the Newcastle defence, especially late on as he weaved his way through more than a few defenders, but this is a semi-final and City have not won anything yet. In addition, getting to the final does not guarantee a win but it does give you a chance of winning.
Prediction
A win for Manchester City, but not a runaway win with this ball.
Buzz’s pick
Bravo
Danilo Stones, Mangala Zinchenko
Gundogan, Bernardo, Sané , Fernandiho, Silva
Aguero.
Subs, Diaz, Tosin, Walker, KDB, Sterling, Otamendi, Ederson
Come on CITY!