Man City vs Brentford: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds | OneFootball

Man City out to avoid another relatively early exit from the cup competition

Manchester City and Brentford do battle this week for a place in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Pep Guardiola’s side are bidding to bounce back from a trophyless 2024-25 campaign and have beaten lower league opposition in Huddersfield and Swansea to reach this stage.

Brentford, meanwhile, beat Bournemouth in the second round, eliminated Aston Villa on penalties in round three before dismantling Grimsby - conquerors of Manchester United - 5-0 in the previous round.

The Bees have lost their last two Carabao Cup quarter-final ties and will need to pull off a shock to reach the semi-final of this competition for just the second time in their history.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game…

Date, kick-off time and venue

Man City vs Brentford is scheduled for a 7.30pm GMT kick-off on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

The match will take place at the Etihad Stadium.

Where to watch Man City vs Brentford

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 7pm GMT on Sky Sports Main Event ahead of kick-off at 7.30pm.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog!

Man City vs Brentford team news

Jeremy Doku missed Man City’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend with a leg injury and is not expected to be available for the cup tie.

The match is also likely to come too soon for Rodri to make a return from a hamstring issue that has sidelined the Spaniard since the Premier League win over Brenford in October.

Mateo Kovacic is a long-term absentee while Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri have joined up with the Egypt and Algeria squads respectively for Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Guardiola has confirmed he will rotate his squad for the quarter-final clash which could see John Stones come into the defence, though Erling Haaland is among those expected to be rested.

AFCON has also impacted Brentford as they will be without Dango Ouattara and Frank Onyeka. Long-term injury casualties Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo and Josh Dasilva are also sidelined, but Reiss Nelson is a doubt.

Kevin Schade is poised to make his return to the squad after missing the draw against Leeds through suspension.

Erling Haaland has not featured in the Carabao Cup this season

AFP via Getty Images

Man City vs Brentford prediction

Brentford often run Man City close and while their away form in the Premier League is a massive concern, they have won both matches on the road in the Carabao Cup this season.

Granted a trip to the Etihad is far more daunting than the Vitality Stadium and Blundell Park.

Even with a rotated side, we expect Man City to have too much quality for the Bees and march into the semi-final.

Man City to win, 2-0.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

This will be the first league cup meeting between the sides since October 1989 when Man City ran out 4-1 winners at Maine Road.

Man City wins: 13

Brentford wins: 7

Draws: 2

Man City vs Brentford match odds

Man City to qualify: 1/3

Brentford to qualify: 7/1

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).