Man City vs Brentford: Match preview, head-to-head, team news, key players

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Football Today

·15 December 2025

Man City vs Brentford: Match preview, head-to-head, team news, key players

Manchester City host Brentford at the Etihad Stadium in the League Cup quarter-final on Wednesday evening.

City came from behind to beat Championship side Swansea City 3-1 in the fourth round, while Brentford won 5-0 at Grimsby Town.

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Match preview

This is the second meeting between City and Brentford this term, following their Premier League clash in October, which the Cityzens won 1-0.

City will aim to build on their 3-0 win at Crystal Palace, which kept them in touch with Arsenal at the top of the table.

The Cityzens have won their last five games across all competitions, scoring 16 goals. They have also displayed defensive frailties, conceding seven.

City dug deep to beat Brentford last time out and might have to do the same again, particularly with manager Pep Guardiola likely to rotate his side.

Brentford were held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United in the league on Sunday. They have recorded just one win from their last five matches, scoring five goals and letting in eight.

The Bees are expected to sit deep and look to exploit Man City’s defence through set-pieces and counter-attacks.

Head-to-head

City have faced Brentford twice in this competition, winning one and losing the other. They have won 13 and drawn two of their 22 meetings with the Bees across all competitions,

Team news

Rodri and Mateo Kovacic remain out for City, while Jeremy Doku and John Stones are doubts. Omar Marmoush and Ryan Aït-Nouri are unavailable due to their involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Kevin Schade should be available for Brentford, and Reiss Nelson could also be named in the matchday squad. Dango Ouattara and Frank Onyeka have departed for AFCON.