Goals from Rayan Cherki and Savinho helped Manchester City book a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a straightforward win over Brentford at the Etihad tonight.
Pep Guardiola made seven changes for the quarter-final but City still dominated the ball from early on, though they did struggle to create as much without Erling Haaland and co. on the pitch.
However, Brentford offered little threat for much of the game and while Abdukodir Khusanov was lucky to escape a red card for a last-man challenge on Kevin Schade, City soon had the goal they deserved as Cherki picked up the ball and curled in a sublime effort from the edge of the box.
It felt difficult for Brentford to come back from a goal down at half-time, and though the Bees came out fighting in the second half, they were dealt a hammer blow when a deflected Savinho effort looped over Valdimarsson to seal the result and take City one step closer to yet another League Cup final.
Follow all the latest updates from the Etihad below:
Man City vs Brentford live
- Manchester City beat Brentford in Carabao Cup to book place in semi-finals
- 68' GOAL! Deflected Savinho effort doubles lead [MCI 2-0 BRE]
- 32' GOAL! Cherki curls in from range to open scoring [MCI 1-0 BRE]
- 16' YELLOW! Khusanov lucky to avoid red for last-man challenge [MCI 0-0 BRE]
Why was Abdukodir Khusanov not sent off for Man City against Brentford?
22:00 , Chris WilsonManchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov was lucky not to receive a red card early into his side’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Brentford on Wednesday night.
On 16 minutes, he came rushing across and wiped out forward Kevin Schade when the German was clean through, but the referee only chose to brandish a yellow.
Why was Abdukodir Khusanov not sent off for Man City against Brentford?
Rayan Cherki shines as Man City beat Brentford to reach Carabao Cup semi-finals
21:50 , Chris WilsonRayan Cherki’s superb first-half strike helped Manchester City reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win over Brentford.
Cherki produced a rare moment of quality in the game when he arrowed a shot into the top corner in the 32nd minute, and a deflected Savinho strike killed off the contest midway through the second half as City reached the last four for the first time since they last won this competition in 2021.
It was Cherki’s fourth goal in a City shirt. The 22-year-old Frenchman had an injury-disrupted start to life at the club after his £30million summer move from Lyon but is starting to blossom now and was the best player on the pitch until his withdrawal in the 66th minute.
Rayan Cherki shines as Man City beat Brentford to reach Carabao Cup semi-finals
Next up
23:00 , Chris WilsonCity’s next game comes against West Ham this weekend, with that one taking place at the Etihad on Saturday, 20 December at 3pm.
Brentford face bottom-of-the-table Wolves next, with the Bees travelling north at the same time on Saturday, 20 December.
City draw Newcastle in semis
22:54 , Chris WilsonCity will face Newcastle United in the two-legged semi-final tie!
The Magpies will be home in the first leg and away in the second.
First-leg ties will be played in the week commencing 12 January.
Second-leg matches will take place in the week commencing 2 February.
Semi-final draw up soon
22:45 , Chris WilsonThe draw for the semi-final of the Carabao Cup had been pushed back to 10.45pm, so City should find out their opponents soon.
You can follow our dedicated blog here.
Manchester City dealt gutting injury blow as starlet winger forced off in Carabao Cup
22:35 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola has been dealt a potential injury blow after Manchester City’s starlet winger Oscar Bobb was forced off inside 20 minutes of their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie with Brentford.
Bobb, 22, has had tough luck with injuries after fracturing his leg early into the 2024/25 season, having enjoyed a breakout year at the Etihad the campaign before.
Manchester City dealt gutting injury blow as starlet winger forced off in Carabao Cup
Andrews: 'The officials have made a mistake'
22:25 , Chris WilsonBrentford head coach Keith Andrews believes City defender Abdukodir Khusanov should have been sent off for his tackle in the 16th minute.
He told Sky: "I think it's a red. I think the officials have made a mistake. I'm very quick to support the officials because they have a very difficult job.
"The explanation we were given was the referee's assistant gave it on the far side that they felt the touch was too big or going away from goal.
"I don't see that at all, I didn't see it at the time, I haven't seen it when I've watched the replays back. He's going straight through on goal. It's a crazy tackle, he takes him out. I don't see it any other way than being a red card,” he added.
Guardiola reacts
22:10 , Chris WilsonPep Gurdiola says he is “happy” to be in the semis, adding that “Brentford is always tough”.
“Especially in the first half,, but I’m really happy for the game and to be in the semi.”
On Cherki, he adds: “What a goal, and after that, he didn’t play much well, but before and with the goal he was fantastic.
“Even a blind guy can realise it was a special goal, you don’t have to be a manager.
“Foden scored a few of them, just to say, we’re lucky to have these types of players,” he adds.
When is the semi-final draw?
21:42 , Chris WilsonThe draw for the semi-final will follow the conclusion of Newcastle’s match with Fulham, which is currently around 70 minutes in.
You can follow the draw for the semis in our dedicated live blog here.
'Comfortable for City'
21:37 , Richard Jolly at the EtihadHere’s the full-time reaction from Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“Comfortable for City, excellent from Cherki. They got the job done and, unlike against Bayer Leverkusen, Guardiola managed to rest some players and still win.”
FULL-TIME! Man City 2-0 Brentford
21:32 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Man City 2-0 Brentford
21:23 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the final whistle and Brentford punishment is ended.
City move into the League Cup semi-finals yet again, with Brentford sent home after a fairly abject performance.
Man City 2-0 Brentford
21:22 , Chris Wilson90 +2 mins
There is half a chance for Brentford here, but the cross is straight at Trafford.
Man City 2-0 Brentford
21:20 , Chris Wilson90 mins
Three minutes of added time here as Brentford continue to toil.
Man City 2-0 Brentford
21:17 , Chris Wilson88 mins
More changes for Brentford as Konak and Nunes come on for Schade and Yarmoliuk.
Man City 2-0 Brentford
21:17 , Chris Wilson86 mins
A late booking for Nunes as he brings down Schade. Brentford can’t make anything of the free-kick though, with a woeful delivery from Damsgaard going straight out of play.
Man City 2-0 Brentford
21:15 , Chris Wilson83 mins
City knocking it around with no issue at the moment. The Brentford players look like they’ve given up out there.
Man City 2-0 Brentford
21:12 , Chris Wilson81 mins
A sub for City here as Charlie Gray comes on for Foden.
The midfielder, born in 2002, makes his senior City debut.
Man City 2-0 Brentford
21:09 , Chris Wilson79 mins
City continue to dominate and their latest venture forward results in a corner.
Foden swings it in but it’s headed away, though City come again straight away.
Man City 2-0 Brentford
21:06 , Chris Wilson76 mins
Subs for Brentford now as Keane Lewis-Potter and Aaron Hickey come on for Henry and Kayode.
Man City 2-0 Brentford
21:03 , Chris Wilson72 mins
Schade gets forward for Brentford but he cant make anything of it, and City pounce immediately, with Savinho testing the ‘keeper from close range moments later.
The hosts are totally dominant now.
GOAL! Man City 2-0 Brentford
20:58 , Chris Wilson68 mins
GOAL! That might just wrap it up.
Savinho has a goal with a slice of fortune, as the Brazilian picks up the ball near the wing and drives towards the box before hitting a low shot.
It looks destined for Valdimarsson but it takes a wicked deflection and loops over the ‘keeper, nestling right in the bottom corner!
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:56 , Chris Wilson66 mins
Changes for City as O’Reilly, Gonzalez and Cherki come off for Josko Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes and Bernardo Silva.
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:54 , Chris Wilson64 mins
CLOSE! The best chance of the half so far goes to Foden.
The Bees fail to clear and Cherki manages to knock it to the England man, who brings it down well before lashing in a low shot that the ‘keeper does well to claw away.
'Changes Pep Guardiola always planned?'
20:53 , Richard Jolly at the EtihadThe latest thoughts of Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“Bernardo Silva and Matheus Nunes seem to be coming on soon. Maybe Josko Gvardiol, too. Changes Pep Guardiola always planned or a reaction to the game so far?”
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:53 , Chris Wilson62 mins
Brentford have definitely been better in this second half but they’re not really putting a lot of pressure on the hosts.
Schade wins a free-kick around 35 yards out but the delivery in is poor, and another potential chance goes begging.
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:50 , Chris Wilson58 mins
Almost a chance for Schade now as he looks to latch onto the through ball from Damsgaard, but Khusanov is there to cover well.
Moments later, the centre-back is there again to read Rico Henry and prevent the Brentford man from going clean through.
'Big night for Trafford'
20:47 , Richard Jolly at the EtihadThe latest reaction from Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“A decent save from James Trafford to deny Vitaly Janelt and it is a big night for him. It is not certain he would play in the semi-final, but it seems a fair bet; but not if City don't get there, of course.
“And while it seems a safe assumption he will play against Exeter in the FA Cup in January, Trafford may not have too many other matches in the immediate future if City go out tonight.”
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:45 , Chris Wilson55 mins
Half a chance for Kayode moments later too as he cuts inside into the box, but his near-post shot doesn't trouble Trafford. Positive signs from the Bees to begin the second half.
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:43 , Chris Wilson52 mins
Half a chance for Ajer as he hits a shot from range but Trafford reads it well, palming it away from danger.
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:39 , Chris Wilson49 mins
O’Reilly has the first effort of the second half but he fires straight at Valdimarsson from outside the area.
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:37 , Chris Wilson47 mins
Savinho goes flying in the box but there was very little contact from Ajer. Nothing doing.
KICK-OFF! Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:34 , Chris WilsonBack underway at the Etihad!
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:32 , Chris WilsonWe’ll be back underway soon at the Etihad.
Neutrals will be hoping for a more entertaining half, while the Bees will need to produce something impressive if they are to get back into this.
City simply need more of the same, with a touch more quality in the final passes.
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:30 , Chris Wilson
'Guardiola has cut a frustrated figure'
20:25 , Richard Jolly at the EtihadThe half-time reaction from Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“Pep Guardiola has cut a frustrated figure for much of the first half. City are leading but the half-time team-talk could still be critical. Unless, of course, he is just annoyed at getting drenched in the Mancunian rain.”
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:19 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the whistle and it’s a superb goal from Rayan Cherki that separates the sides at the break.
It’s not been a great half for the neutral at the Etihad, but the hosts go into the break ahead and with a foot in the League Cup semis.
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:16 , Chris Wilson45 +1 mins
Three minutes of added time here but it doesn’t look like a lot will happen, with Cherki unlucky to get the ball tied up under his feet in the area.
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:13 , Chris Wilson42 mins
Almost an opening for Brentford as Ajer makes a marauding run forward onto the end of Damsgaard’s through ball and almost latches onto a Khusanov mistake before the Uzbek defender puts it away for a corner.
The crosses are headed away by the hosts before O’Reilly gets the final clearance in.
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:11 , Chris Wilson40 mins
The visitors look like they need to regroup at half-time, with both sides looking like they’d be happy to settle at 1-0 for now.
The rain is really falling at the Etihad now as City knock the ball around confidently.
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:08 , Richard Jolly at the EtihadThe latest reaction from Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“Rayan Cherki is working his way through his Erling Haaland celebrations after that goal. Though Haaland scores few like that.”
Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:08 , Chris Wilson36 mins
That goal has only served to further City’s dominance, with the visitors now struggling to keep the ball at all.
GOAL! Man City 1-0 Brentford
20:04 , Chris Wilson32 mins
GOAL! It had to be him!
Rayan Cherki brings City into the lead with a superb finish.
The ball from the corner is headed to the Frenchman on the edge of the ‘D’, and he brings it inside the defender before whipping a lovely curled finish into the far corner.
Man City 0-0 Brentford
20:02 , Chris Wilson30 mins
Still City dominate possession, but the chances aren't coming how they’d want them to. Cherki has looked bright but he’s not got a lot to work with at present.
He’s been supported well by Savinho though, with the Brazilian skipping past Kayode on the wing before seeing his cross turned behind.
Man City 0-0 Brentford
19:58 , Chris Wilson27 mins
There’s been a bit of a lull in activity here, with Reijnders hooking a volley over before Khusanov tried his luck from distance, to no avail.
Man City 0-0 Brentford
19:57 , Richard Jolly at the EtihadThe latest reaction from Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“Oscar Bobb's night ends early and it is turning into a frustrating season for him. He last started against Bayer Leverkusen but was taken off at half-time after failing to impress.
“Now injury has curtailed another outing. Bobb actually started the Premier League season in the team but since then, he has slipped far behind players like Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden in the queue for places.”
Man City 0-0 Brentford
19:54 , Chris Wilson22 mins
A quick City counter ends with Cherki receiving the ball about 30 yards out, and the Frenchman blasts a long-range effort that the ‘keeper parries away.
Man City 0-0 Brentford
19:50 , Chris Wilson19 mins
A sub for City here as Bobb is forced off with an injury and Phil Foden comes on.
Brentford take their free-kick from around 25 yards out – and Trafford gets across to save easily enough.
Man City 0-0 Brentford
19:48 , Chris Wilson16 mins
Khusanov is perhaps lucky to avoid a red card here. He comes rushing across and wipes out Schade when the German was clean through, but the referee brandishes a yellow. Presumably he thinks the striker wasn’t quite denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
No VAR in this competition until the semis, and Keith Andrews is visibly irate.
Man City 0-0 Brentford
19:45 , Chris Wilson14 mins
The best chance of the game so far falls to Bobb moments later, with the Norwegian bringing the ball down in the area before cutting outside the defender and hitting a shot straight at Valdimarsson from about five yards.
Man City 0-0 Brentford
19:43 , Chris Wilson13 mins
The first half-chances of the game fall to City as Savinho’s cutback is just behind Bobb, before Cherki fires an effort wide from just outside the area.
Man City 0-0 Brentford
19:42 , Chris Wilson11 mins
The visitors are knocking the ball around well when they do have it, but it’s not troubling City at all. The hosts aren’t looking to press too high too quickly early on.
Man City 0-0 Brentford
19:40 , Chris Wilson8 mins
Brentford are clearly looking to upset City with their physicality today, with a long free-kick pumped forward before being headed clear.
At the other end, Savinho is unlucky to give away a foul when last man against Kayode.
Man City 0-0 Brentford
19:37 , Chris Wilson6 mins
It’s a much-changed City side but the hosts are already starting to dominate possession, with Henry just about covering the long ball over the top to Bobb.
The visitors have arrived with a high line at the Etihad!
'A bit of a fluid look to City'
19:35 , Richard Jolly at the Etihad:The latest reaction from Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“A bit of a fluid look to City. Sometimes Rayan Cherki is the furthest man forward, now and again Divine Mukasa is.
“All of which reflects the reality the squad has only one specialist senior striker, in Erling Haaland, and the logical alternative, Omar Marmoush, is away.”
Man City 0-0 Brentford
19:33 , Chris Wilson3 mins
Brentford have managed to get forward early on but they haven’t found any openings, with Rico Lewis making the first big clearance.
KICK-OFF! Man City 0-0 Brentford
19:31 , Chris WilsonW’re underway at the Etihad!
Man City vs Brentford live
19:27 , Chris WilsonBoth sides have emerged from the tunnel at the Etihad, so kick-off will be in the next three or four minutes.
Man City vs Brentford live
19:22 , Chris WilsonThe warm-ups are done and we’ll be underway soon here!
Carabao Cup ties
19:10 , Chris WilsonHere are the remaining quarter-finals in the Carabao Cup, with Arsenal playing next week:
Tue, 16 December
Cardiff 1-3 Chelsea
Wed, 17 December
Newcastle vs Fulham
Tue, 23 December
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Head-to-head
19:05 , Chris WilsonThese two sides have faced off a total of 22 times in the past, with City winning 13, Brentford winning seven and two ending as draws.
The most recent meeting between the two came in the Premier League in October, with City winning 1-0 at the Gtech thanks to a goal from Erling Haaland.
When is the semi-final draw?
19:00 , Chris WilsonThe Carabao Cup semi-final draw takes place tonight with the remaining teams set to discover who stands in their way from a trip to Wembley.
Chelsea were the first team to book their place in the last four, surviving a scare at Cardiff as Enzo Maresca’s substitutes powered the Blues to a 3-1 win.
They will be joined by two more teams tonight with Manchester Cityhosting Brentford and holders Newcastle facing Fulham, though Arsenal’s clash with Crystal Palace will not take place until next week after it was rescheduled due to fixture congestion.
The draw for the last four - the only round of fixtures in the competition that takes place over two legs - will get underway after full-time at Newcastle-Fulham, which kicks off later than usual at 8:15pm GMT.
City just do, Arsenal think: Inside the psychology of the Premier League title race
18:50 , Chris WilsonDespite the scenes of celebration on the pitch, and the fact they were staying top of the league, the Arsenal dressing room had nowhere near the same feel of victory after the late 2–1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. You might have thought the leaders had lost. Arteta told the media the performance was way below the standards required, but he had already said it in far stronger terms to the players.
You can understand the concern, and there is reason for Arsenal to be worried now. Their performances have abruptly dropped – quite badly – while Manchester City have returned to imperious form.
City just do, Arsenal think: Inside the psychology of the Premier League title race
'Some unfamiliar names on both benches'
18:45 , Richard Jolly at the EtihadSome reaction to the team news from Richard Jolly at the Etihad:
“Seven changes for Pep Guardiola, with only Nico O'Reilly, Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki staying in.
“It might have been more changes were Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush not at Afcon. Brentford make six changes.
“There are some unfamiliar names on both benches; some familiar ones, too, in Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and co, so Guardiola can call upon the cavalry if required.”
Team news
18:39 , Chris WilsonKeith Andrews had made six changes from the visitors’ draw to Leeds at the weekend, with Caoimhín Kelleher replaced in goal by Hákon Valdimarsson while Kristoff Ajer and Rico Henry come into defence for Aaron Hickey and Jordan Henderson.
In the attacking positions, Igor Thiago, Dango Ouattara and Keane Lewis-Potter make way for Yehor Yarmolyuk, Mikkel Damsgaard and Kevin Schade, with the former dropping back into midfield.
Brentford line-up
18:34 , Chris WilsonBrentford XI: Valdimarsson; Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Ajer, Henry, Jensen, Yarmoliuk, Janelt, Damsgaard, Schade.
Subs: Kelleher, Hickey, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Konak, Donovan, Arthur, Nunes, Peart-Harris.
🏆 Your Bees for tonight's quarter-final #MCIBRE pic.twitter.com/qVWjOYRhzL
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 17, 2025
Team news
18:22 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola has made seven changes to the side that beat Crystal Palace last week, with wholesale changes in each area of the pitch. James Trafford replaces Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, while three defensive changes see Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake come in for Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
Oscar Bobb replaces Bernardo Silva in midfield, while Phil Foden and Erling Haaland drop out of the attack in favour of Savinho and Divine Mukasa.
City line-up
18:16 , Chris WilsonMan City XI: Trafford, Lewis, Khusanov, Ake (C), O’Reilly, Nico, Reijnders, Bobb, Cherki, Savinho, Mukasa.
Subs: Donnarumma, Dias, Haaland, Bernardo, Gvardiol, Nunes, Foden, Gray, Mfuni
Tonight’s City line-up! 💪🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 17, 2025
XI | Trafford, Lewis, Khusanov, Ake (C), O’Reilly, Nico, Reijnders, Bobb, Cherki, Savinho, Mukasa
SUBS | Donnarumma, Dias, Haaland, Bernardo, Gvardiol, Nunes, Foden, Gray, Mfuni
🤝 @etihad pic.twitter.com/gmiBMXz95d
Team news
18:10 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups should be released in the next few minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news...
Pep Guardiola has promised plenty of changes to his starting line-up, though he’ll have some absences to contend with too.
Winger Jeremy Doku will presumably face a late fitness test after missing the match against Palace with a leg injury, though Guardiola did not elaborate on the extent of the issue, so the Belgian could miss more matches.
Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri will be absent for the hosts due to Afcon, with both making a return at some point in January. This match will likely come too soon for Rodri and John Stones, both of whom are expected back closer to Christmas, while Mateo Kovacic remains the club’s only long-term injury absentee.
For Brentford, Joshua Dasilva, Antoni Milambo and Fabio Carvalho are the long-term absentees, while Dango Ouattara and Frank Onyeka are missing due to Afcon duty.
Kevin Schade is suspended and will return for the weekend Premier League game, while Reiss Nelson will be assessed but this match should come a little too soon for the attacker.
Man City issue update on outcome of hearing into Premier League financial charges
17:55 , Chris WilsonManchester City are still awaiting the verdict of an independent hearing after the club were charged with more than 100 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules in February 2023.
An update issued in City’s annual report stated that the Premier League’s independent commission is “still in the process of reviewing the matter” more than a year on since the hearing concluded.
City welcomed the review when they were first charged in February 2023 and say there is “irrefutable evidence” that proves their innocence.
Man City issue update on outcome of hearing into Premier League financial charges
Pep Guardiola promises changes to Man City line-up for visit of Brentford in cup
17:40 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola promised changes to his Manchester City line-up for the visit of Brentford in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final.
The game at the Etihad Stadium comes just 72 hours after City were made to battle for a hard-fought 3-0 win away against Crystal Palace to maintain their Premier League pursuit of Arsenal.
Guardiola’s side, who also beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Bernabeu last week, face five league matches between December 20 and January 7, and with the title race likely to intensify in the new year, the visit of the Bees is seen as a moment for rest and rotation.
Pep Guardiola promises changes to Man City line-up for visit of Brentford in cup
When is Manchester City vs Brentford?
17:25 , Chris WilsonThe match is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 17 December at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. Kick-off is set for 7.30pm GMT.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra HDR, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT. Subscribers can also stream the action online via NOWTV.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
When is Manchester City vs Brentford?
17:18 , Chris WilsonThe match is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 17 December at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. Kick-off is set for 7.30pm GMT.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra HDR, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT. Subscribers can also stream the action online via NOWTV.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Predicted line-ups
17:12 , Chris WilsonMan City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Ake; Lewis, Gonzalez, Reijnders; Savinho, Haaland, Foden.
Brentford XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Hickey; Henderson, Janelt; Damsgaard, Jensen, Lewis-Potter; Thiago.
Brentford team news
17:07 , Chris WilsonFor Brentford, Joshua Dasilva, Antoni Milambo and Fabio Carvalho are the long-term absentees, while Dango Ouattara and Frank Onyeka are missing due to Afcon duty.
Kevin Schade is suspended and will return for the weekend Premier League game, while Reiss Nelson will be assessed but this match should come a little too soon for the attacker.
City team news
17:03 , Chris WilsonPep Guardiola has promised plenty of changes to his starting line-up, though he’ll have some absences to contend with too.
Winger Jeremy Doku will presumably face a late fitness test after missing the match against Palace with a leg injury, though Guardiola did not elaborate on the extent of the issue, so the Belgian could miss more matches.
Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri will be absent for the hosts due to Afcon, with both making a return at some point in January. This match will likely come too soon for Rodri and John Stones, both of whom are expected back closer to Christmas, while Mateo Kovacic remains the club’s only long-term injury absentee.
Good evening
16:58 , Chris WilsonHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final match between Manchester City and Brentford.
Both sides arrive at the Etihad this evening hoping to book a place in the first cup semi-final of the season.
Pep Guardiola’s side are in fine form of late, having beaten Real Madrid and Crystal Palace last week to consolidate their Champions League standing while maintaining pressure on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
And tonight they could book yet another semi-final in a competition they have done well in under Guardiola, with the Spaniard having won the League Cup four times since 2017/18.
City’s opponents are a Bees side that are struggling under Keith Andrews in the Premier League, sitting in 15th, but with City likely to make changes to the starting XI, they will be wary of the potential for an upset at the Etihad tonight.
