There’s little respite for Manchester City off the back of their chaotic 2-2 draw with likely title rivals Arsenal. The Cityzens are back in action on Tuesday as they face Watford in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
City were once perennial victors of this competition but haven’t bypassed the quarter-final stage in each of the previous three seasons. Pep Guardiola is unlikely to regard this trophy among the club’s priorities this term and there should be wholesale changes to his starting XI on Tuesday.
Watford have been tormented on previous visits to the Etihad and have lost the last 15 games against City. Their last victory in this fixture arrived way back in 1989.
Serenity and tranquillity are what Guardiola’s aiming to enjoy in this one off the back of Sunday’s chaos and here’s the team he could pick for the cup tie.
Man City predicted lineup vs Watford (4-2-3-1)
GK: Stefan Ortega – There really isn’t much to separate Ederson and Ortega anymore, with the latter set to start every domestic cup fixture this season.
RB: Rico Lewis – The young full-back will rarely occupy the traditional right-back zone and instead venture infield. Lewis will have a major influence when City have the ball, but he’ll also be tasked with shunning the visitors in transition.
CB: John Stones – Sunday’s salvager performed his heroics off the bench having endured a quiet start to the new season. This is a handy outing for building match fitness.
CB: Jahmai Simpson-Pusey – The 18-year-old is a highly-regarded defender who impressed out in the USA during pre-season. Simpson-Pusey could make his first competitive start for the senior side on Tuesday.
LB: Josh Wilson-Esbrand – City supporters have grown fairly familiar with Wilson-Esbrand, who has a couple of senior appearances to his name already. The defender first appeared in this competition three years ago.
CM: Matheus Nunes – The Portuguese midfielder is yet to convince in Manchester and remains on the periphery. He will get a chance to impress on Tuesday, though, and may be utilised in a deeper position.
CM: Jacob Wright – There’s plenty of excitement surrounding the recently-turned 19-year-old, with City supporters hoping the midfielder can break into the first-team with greater regularity by the end of the season. His minutes are likely to be limited to the domestic cups, however.
RW: Nico O’Reilly – O’Reilly was a prominent figure over the summer and earned minutes off the bench in City’s Community Shield triumph. He’s a versatile operator who could perform a variety of roles. It’ll be interesting to see the zones he works from in this one.
AM: James McAtee – There have been few opportunities for McAtee to kick off 2024/25, but his importance may grow as the season progresses. He’s one who could earn Premier League starts off the back of stellar performances in the domestic cups.
LW: Jack Grealish – Grealish certainly had a hand in Stones’ late equaliser on Sunday and was one of very few City players playing with the required intensity and sharpness to break down Arsenal’s resistance.
ST: Phil Foden – Erling Haaland’s significance to the Cityzens’ hopes this term will only increase if Rodri is out for the long haul. He definitely won’t play on Tuesday and it’s likely either Foden or Ilkay Gundogan will be utilised in a withdrawn forward role.
