Manchester City vs. Everton: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Manchester City and Everton will meet on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium to determine who will progress to the League Cup final at Wembley.
Everton won the first leg 2-1, but with City’s home form still strong, they will fancy their chances of overturning the deficit.
However, Roberto Martinez’s side have managed three successive away wins in the competition and will go into the game with plenty of confidence they can get the result they need.
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It’s beautifully poised.
City have never lost a home game against Everton in a cup competition. They’ve played four times, with the Etihad side winning three and drawing the other.
City’s recent home record in the League Cup is superb. They’ve won five of their last six, scoring 27 goals in the process.
"It's the third time we'll play Everton in one month—we know their team," said City manager Manuel Pellegrini on Tuesday.
"The most important thing is to try to play another final at Wembley. That is our target. After we lost to Everton 2-1, I said that if we don't qualify for the final, it's not because of that game but because we can't win at home at least 1-0.
"Maybe Everton haven't been in a final for many years and they will be motivated but our team will do all they can to get there too."
".@LFC and @stokecity boast nine League Cup titles between them >> https://t.co/G4v4mKcfst. #CapitalOneCup pic.twitter.com/AJ1MgdyWFq
— Capital One Cup (@CapitalOne_Cup) January 26, 2016"
Date: Wednesday, 27 January
Kick-off: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET
TV Listings: Sky Sports 1/HD (UK)
Livestream: SkyGo
"Allocated #CapitalOneCupFinal Wembley ends WEST: @LFC / @stokecity EAST: @Everton / @MCFC https://t.co/8VRqjTMYt7 pic.twitter.com/fBgoksEpfE
— Capital One Cup (@CapitalOne_Cup) January 25, 2016"
"#CapitalOneCupFinal teams allocated approx. 31,500 tickets. Prices same as for last 4 yrs >> https://t.co/8VRqjTMYt7 pic.twitter.com/nqwpFttazr
— Capital One Cup (@CapitalOne_Cup) January 25, 2016"
Form Guide
Manchester City
West Ham United 2-2 Manchester City
Manchester City 4-0 Crystal Palace
Everton 0-0 Manchester City
Norwich City 0-3 Manchester City (FA Cup)
Everton 2-1 Manchester City (League Cup)
Everton
Everton 1-2 Swansea City
Chelsea 3-3 Everton
Manchester City 0-0 Everton
Everton 2-0 Dagenham & Redbridge (FA Cup)
Everton 2-1 Manchester City (League Cup)
"Check out this brilliant video telling the story of @rbarkley20's career so far from @capitalone. #TheDifference https://t.co/1dNCS5DzrP
— Everton (@Everton) January 26, 2016"
Predicted Formations
Manchester City
Pellegrini is without Eliaquim Mangala, Vincent Kompany, Aleksandar Kolarov, Wilfried Bony and Samir Nasri.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Demichelis, Clichy; Fernandinho, Delph; De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Aguero.
" — Pablo Zabaleta (@pablo_zabaleta) January 26, 2016"
Everton
Midfielder Muhamed Besic has a hamstring problem and won't play, while winger Kevin Mirallas suffered a tendon injury at the weekend and is also out.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Robles; Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines; Barry, Osman; Deulofeu, Barkley, Cleverley; Lukaku.
Players To Watch
Manchester City: Sergio Aguero
At Upton Park on Saturday, Sergio Aguero reached a level of performance no other player on the pitch could match. He scored two, hit the post and produced some beautiful touches and moments of individual skill.
His season has been affected by injuries, but he’s now returning to his peak performance. When he’s at his best, no other striker can match his goalscoring ability.
He was quiet in the first leg at Goodison Park but looks fitter and sharper now after a run of games free from injury problems.
"The great Sergio Aguero in numbers. [via Daily Mail] pic.twitter.com/7iKaZc1iEU
— City Watch (@City_Watch) January 24, 2016"
Everton: Romelu Lukaku
Everton’s 22-year-old striker, Romelu Lukaku, has been arguably the best striker in English football this season. He’s scored 19 goals in 28 games across all competitions—including four in five in the League Cup—and continues to develop into one of the finest young players in Europe.
At one time Lukaku was seen as a physical striker who could dominate defenders with his power. Of course, it is difficult to nullify his physicality, but it’s an oversimplification to describe in such reductive terms.
This is a player with plenty to his game. Movement, intelligence, vision and subtlety, he deserves the praise his performances are receiving
For a player of his age to have scored 113 goals in 256 games is remarkable.
Key Battle
Fernandinho vs. Ross Barkley
Fernandinho was back on the bench on Saturday after a three-game absence through injury, and he is likely to start this game.
The Brazilian has been City’s best player this season, and his drive and energy are missed when he isn’t there.
He’ll have to pay close attention to Ross Barkley. The Everton midfielder, 22, is one of the most technically gifted English players currently playing the game. He needs to work on being more consistent, but he has the makings of being a superb player for years to come.
"Take us to Wembley! Here's tomorrow night's #cityveverton programme cover... #mcfc pic.twitter.com/dwiTomPjn5
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) January 26, 2016"
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.
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