Manchester City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers: Lineup Prediction for Carling Cup

In the Carling Cup third-round tie versus Birmingham, Roberto Mancini made 11 changes from the side which started four days prior in the Barclays Premier League. Wholesale changes for both Manchester City and Wolves are expected for midweek’s cup tie, with the two teams meeting just three days later in a league encounter at The Etihad Stadium.

Sixteen-year-old Karim Rekik and 21-year-old Luca Scapuzzi made their first-team debuts in the previous round, and could feature in some capacity. Abdul Razak will be pushing make his second competitive start for the club, as Mancini rotates his squad for cup competitions.

Unregistered for the league, Wayne Bridge played in an advanced midfield role versus Birmingham, but as the competition progresses it is not clear how much of a part he will play as City chase silverware.

Lineup prediction

Costel Pantilimon

The Romanian international goalkeeper has so far only made one appearance for the blues—in the previous round versus Birmingham.

Nedum Onuoha, Kolo Toure, Stefan Savic, Aleksandar Kolarov

Nedum Onuoha’s ill-advised outburst regarding the manager and his apparent dislike of the full-back has limited the defender to just the one appearance this term, while Kolo Toure is still settling into a return to first-team football after his lengthy ban for consuming an unauthorised substance. 

Stefan Savic will most likely partner the Ivorian in the centre of the defence as Mancini fully utilises the squad’s deep resources. Aleks Kolarov will be fresh for action, only playing out the final four minutes of Sunday’s derby game.

Nigel de Jong, Owen Hargreaves

Nigel de Jong has looked uncharacteristically shaky following the injury which sidelined him on the opening day of the season. Dropped for the Manchester derby showdown, the Dutch terrier will be chomping at the bit to regain his position from the imposing Yaya Toure. 

A 20-yard screamer from Owen Hargreaves on his City debut set the blues on their way to the League Cup fourth round. The former Bayern Munich man is being eased back into regular football action after a horrific few years in the Manchester United medical room.

Pablo Zabaleta, Adam Johnson, Samir Nasri

An advanced role for Zabaleta is usually reserved for late on in games in which Mancini looks to preserve three points, but the Argentinean has proved himself adept when called upon. Starting on the right-wing versus Birmingham, Pablo’s ability to slot in naturally in multiple positions is ideal for cup game rotation.

Adam Johnson was left out of the match day squad on Sunday after a disappointing and dissenting performance in the Champions League against Villarreal. Redemption will be available at Molineux for the tricky winger, in his quest to shed his impact-sub status and greater impose himself for the duration of games. Samir Nasri could accompany Johnson in the team’s creative department, fresh from a cameo performance at Old Trafford.

Edin Dzeko

Edin Dzeko’s two-goal, one assist substitute performance at Old Trafford has shot the Bosnian to the top of the EPL’s scoring charts, and he will look to continue this fine form with his first League Cup appearance.