Here are four things to consider before we get underway tonight…
Changes
The trip to the West Midlands will be the Blues’ fourth game in eleven days and with Crystal Palace to come on Saturday, Pep Guardiola may choose to rotate his starting lineup.
It’s an opportunity to give the like of Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne a rest, but, equally as important, a chance to give others some valuable minutes.
With Fabian Delph and Ilkay Gundogan’s return from injury the boss could well see this game as the perfect opportunity for them to get 90 minutes under their belt and such options serve only to highlight the depth of this squad.
An injection of youth?
Sticking with the theme of squad rotation, we shouldn’t rule out Guardiola bringing Academy graduates into the fold.
Pablo Maffeo, Brahim Diaz and Aleix Garcia were all afforded League Cup appearances last season and it would not be a surprise if the manager again opted to give some of the Club’s burgeoning talent a taste of first team football.
Tosin Adarabioyo, Phil Foden and the young Spaniard – who has been in fine form for the EDS – are perhaps the most likely to be included and if so, will want to grasp the opportunity to showcase their talent to both the Catalan and the travelling fans.
Style v steel
Saturday’s result at Vicarage Road reaffirmed that when it all comes together, this City squad are capable of turning in performances that few sides can live with.
Tony Pulis has acknowledged as much in his pre-match press conference, but will hope his are capable of neutralising City’s array of attacking talents.
The Baggies are, more often than not, sound defensively, and with experienced campaigners like Ben Foster, Chris Brunt and Gareth McCauley to call upon, the away side will know they’ll be made to work hard if they’re to progress to the next round.
Good omens
Recent history would tell you City are a good bet to reach the fourth round – having done so in each of the last four seasons.
Similarly, having lifted the trophy in two of the last four campaigns, the League Cup holds happy memories for the Blues.
Fighting for silverware on four fronts is no easy task, but a shrewd summer transfer window allied with several exciting young prospects, means City have a squad which is more than capable of a balancing a return to Wembley in February alongside their other aims for this season.
