Oxford vs Man City predicted line-ups: Team news and more for Carabao Cup fixture tonight
The two sides meet for a place in the semi-finals
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City have the chance to advance to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup when they travel to Oxford United tonight.
Pep Guardiola will look to use this match to rest some key players ahead of Saturday’s must win clash against Leicester City.
The two sides met last season with Guardiola’s side triumphed 3-0, but City cannot be complacent tonight with the League One side looking to cause an upset in front of their own fans.
Oxford currently sit eighth in League One after some impressive form this season; last week’s 1-0 loss to MK Dons ended an 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions for the side.
Their route to facing the Premier League champions has been impressive, with Oxford securing victories over Peterborough, Millwall, and Premier League sides West Ham and Sunderland.
When is it?
Oxford United vs Manchester City kicks off at 7:45pm on Wednesday 18th December
How can I watch it?
The game will be shown live on Sky Sports Football. Sky customers can also stream the game online via the Sky Sports app and Sky Go.
Team news
Guardiola is currently dealing with a number of absentees. While striker Sergio Aguero and midfielder David Silva are close to returning to the pitch, neither will feature tonight. Aguero returned to training on Monday and its hoped Silva will train later this week.
Guardiola admitted in the pre Match conference that although injured winger Leroy Sane has returned to training, City are being cautious about his return. The 23-year-old has not played since picking up a knee injury at the beginning of the season.
Oxford United are likely to be without top scorer James Henry because of thigh issues. Anthony Forde (ribs), Jamie Hanson (hamstring), George Thorne (shoulder) and on-loan Liverpool forward Ben Woodburn (foot) all remain out.
Predicted line-up
Man City: Bravo; Cancelo, Harwood-Bellis, Garcia, Zinchenko; Bernardo, Gundogan, Foden; Mahrez, Jesus, Poveda.
Odds
Man City 1/10
Oxford United 25/1
Draw 12/1
Prediction
City are overwhelming favourites, but they cannot be complacent against Oxford United. The League One side currently sit eighth in table and come into the meeting having drawn two and lost one of their last three games, and before Saturday’s 1-0 loss to MK Dons they had been on an 11-game unbeaten run. City ran out 3-0 winners the last time the two sides met, however Oxford were competitive throughout. Expect the same tonight.
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