New look midfield as Ferna and Yaya rested
With so many games under their belts this campaign, the boss rests Yaya Toure and Fernandinho for today’s game in a much-changed City line-up. David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne also are missing.
Fabian Delph and Fernando will work the engine room as a partnership for the first time as the Blues look to progress to the fourth round against Norwich.
Today’s starting XI plus subs looks like this:
Caballero, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernando, Delph, Navas, Sterling, Iheanacho, Aguero
Subs: Hart, Sagna, Clichy, Humphreys, Horsfield, Celina, De Bruyne
Defence: Argentina (almost) all the way!
As expected, Willy Caballero continues in goal this afternoon with the Argentinian clocking up his eight appearance of the campaign.
And the Argentine theme continues in the back four with Pablo Zabaleta returning to the starting XI for the first time in 10 weeks. Eliaquim Mangala’s injury means Martin Demichelis is also recalled and will play alongside Nicolas Otamendi - our fourth Argentina star in defence.
Aleks Kolarov returns at left-back with Gael Clichy dropping to the bench.
Midfield: All change...
Jesus Navas’ goal-scoring cameo at Everton earns him a place on the right flank today with Raheem Sterling also back and starting on the left in what should be a 4-4-2 line-up. Fernando and Delph will shore up the midfield and keep things nice and simple so expect Sterling and Navas to see plenty of the ball.
Both wingers will be expected to track back and help the full-backs at Carrow Road.
Attack: Kun and Kelechi
For the first time this season, Iheanacho will start the game as Sergio Aguero’s strike partner. Kelechi has only started three games this season - one in the Premier League meeting with the Canaries earlier this season - but has five goals already. It should be fascinating to see how he links up with Kun.
Bench: Youth out in force
It’s one of the youngest City benches in memory today with Cameron Humphreys, James Horsfield and Bersant Celina joining Joe Hart, Clichy, Bacary Sagna and De Bruyne.
Opposition: Norwich line-up...
The Canaries seem to be opting for a 5-4-1 formation with Howson and Odjidja supporting Cameron Jerome. Olsson and Wisdom will provide width as attacking full-backs and it could be quite congested at times when the Blues attack.
The key will be accurate passes in and around the box, fast counter-attacks with Sterling and Navas providing good service to Iheanacho and Aguero.
