PREVIEW: In-form Manchester City host Brentford in Carabao Cup quarter-finals | OneFootball

Manchester City and Brentford will meet at the Etihad Stadium in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, with the tie an opportunity for Pep Guardiola’s side to return to the final four of a competition they once dominated – while the Bees could edge closer to a first ever major trophy.

Between 2014 and 2021, the Citizens won six of the eight iterations of this competition, but since then they haven’t even got past the quarter-finals. After seeing off Huddersfield Town and Swansea City in the earlier rounds, City further gained both confidence and ground in the title race at the weekend after running out 3-0 winners away at Crystal Palace, despite being thoroughly challenged throughout the game.

Guardiola’s side still remain Arsenal’s closest rivals for the Premier League title this season and have won nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions, the only blemish being a defeat to Bayer Leverkusen with a much changed side.

Their visitors Brentford have had a much tougher route to the quarter-finals, with Premier League sides Bournemouth and Aston Villa standing in their way before a trip to Grimsby Town saw them through to the final eight. Keith Andrews’ side have surprised many this season following a summer of upheaval which included the departures of both their manager and forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. Brentford have impressed so far under their new boss and have already caused some notable upsets in the form of wins over Newcastle United and Liverpool. As far as the bigger picture is concerned, success in the Carabao Cup would mark a first ever major trophy and an indication of just how high the club have climbed over the last half-decade.

City surprised many by arriving at Selhurst Park without Jérémy Doku, with Guardiola revealing the Belgian was struggling with an issue in his leg, though he didn’t comment on its severity. Doku is one of three question marks ahead of Tuesday’s game as he joins John Stones on the injury list for City. It also might prove too soon for former Ballon d’Or winner Rodri as the Spaniard still recovers from a hamstring issue. Mateo Kovačić will certainly be out for an extended period of time as he nurses a severe ankle injury.

As for Brentford, they are set for a boost as Kevin Schade and Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson could be fit enough to start for the Bees, providing much-needed bolstering to Andrews’ front line. However, the visitors will be without winger Dango Ouattara, who jetted off to the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday evening. Despite this, and having no European competitions, Brentford should be able to field a full strength side.

The game will kick off at 19:30 GMT at the Etihad Stadium, and will be televised on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.

Predicted line-ups

MCI: Trafford; Lewis, Khusanov, Aké, O’Reilly; Reijnders, Silva; Bobb, Cherki, Savinho; Haaland