Manchester City vs Brentford kick-off, date & TV info
Date Wednesday, December 17
Kick-off 7.30pm
Venue Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Competition EFL Cup
TV Sky Sports Main Event
Manchester City host Brentford in the EFL Cup quarter-final tonight and Pep Guardiola’s men are chasing a tenth win in their last 11 games at the Etihad.
Erling Haaland scored the only goal when these clubs met at Brentford in the Premier League in October and the Bees are massive underdogs to deny City a place in the semi-finals.
Manchester City vs Brentford betting tips & predictions
Best bet
Manchester City-Manchester City double result
3pts 21-20 BoyleSports
Best player bet
Nico O’Reilly to have over 1.5 shots
13-8 bet365
Longshot
Igor Thiago to be shown the first card
17-2 bet365
Manchester City vs Brentford preview
After a forgettable 2024-25 season, Manchester City suffered two defeats in their first three Premier League matches of the new campaign.
However, September’s 3-0 derby win over Manchester United sparked Pep Guardiola’s men into action and the Citizens are full of confidence as they prepare to host Brentford in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Leaders Arsenal are feeling City’s hot breath on their collars in the title race while Erling Haaland continued his prolific form with three goals in last week’s away wins over Real Madrid and Crystal Palace.
The departure of Omar Marmoush to the Africa Cup of Nations means Haaland may start against Brentford as City chase a seventh EFL Cup triumph in 13 seasons.
But Guardiola will want to take charge of the tie nice and early so he can rest and rotate key players so backing the City-City double result appeals against the Bees.
Brentford have done almost all of their best work under Keith Andrews at home, where they have beaten Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle and taken a point off Chelsea.
Their only home league defeat came against City in October, when Haaland scored the only goal of the game in the ninth minute, and their clean sheet may not last long at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland broke the deadlock at Palace in the 41st minute last weekend but City had been two goals up at the break in each of their last four league wins, against Liverpool, Leeds, Fulham and Sunderland.
All three goals in their 2-1 Champions League win at Real Madrid came in the first half and even a reshuffled City side should be too slick for Brentford, who have lost seven of their eight Premier League away games.
Impressive O’Reilly should get shooting opportunities
Nico O’Reilly may not get a break as fellow left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is away with Algeria’s Afcon squad but the England international should get forward to good effect for City.
O’Reilly scored their first goal with one of his two shots in Madrid and has had 11 attempts at goal in his last eight league starts.
Brentford’s Brazilian bruiser could pick up an early booking
Only Haaland has scored more goals than Igor Thiago in this season’s Premier League but the Brentford frontman may have to scrap hard for chances.
The Brazilian averages just under two fouls per game in the league, was booked in the EFL Cup second-round win at Bournemouth and is worth a bet to be shown the first card.
Manchester City vs Brentford Bet Builder
Manchester City to be leading at half-time
City have been blasting out of the blocks while Brentford have failed to score a first-half goal in six of their last seven matches.
Rayan Cherki to score or assist a goal
The French playmaker claimed a goal and an assist in City’s EFL Cup win at Swansea and has created six goals in just 489 minutes of Premier League action this term.
Igor Thiago to commit two or more fouls
Brentford’s top goalscorer averages 1.9 fouls per 90 minutes in the league and will be eager to put City’s centre-backs under pressure at the Etihad Stadium.
Pays out at 15-4 with bet365
Key stats for Manchester City vs Brentford
♦ Manchester City have been leading at half-time and full-time in their last five games
♦ There have been over 2.5 goals in ten of City’s last 11 matches
♦ Three of City’s last five league wins were by a 3-0 scoreline
♦ Brentford have lost seven of their ten away games this season
♦ The Bees have scored just one first-half goal in their last seven fixtures
Manchester City vs Brentford betting odds
Sign up with Betfair to bet on Manchester City vs Brentford in the EFL Cup. Here are the latest odds for tonight’s match.
90 minutesOddsManchester City1-3Brentford7-1Draw4-1
Odds correct at time of publishing
Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport’s tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.
Manchester City vs Brentford team news and predicted line-ups
Manchester City
Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri have left for the Africa Cup of Nations. Rodri and Mateo Kovacic are injured and Jeremy Doku and John Stones are doubts.
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Lewis, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly; Reijnders, Silva; Bobb, Cherki, Savinho; Haaland
Subs: Foden, Mukasa, Gonzalez, Doku, Nunes, Gvardiol, Dias
Brentford
Kevin Schade returns from suspension but Josh Dasilva, Fabio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo are sidelined. Frank Onyeka and Dango Ouattara are on Afcon duty and cup goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson could be preferred to Caoimhin Kelleher.
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Valdimarsson; Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Henry; Henderson, Yarmoliuk; Schade, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter; Thiago
Subs: Nelson, Pinnock, Jensen, Ajer, Hickey, Janelt, Peart-Harris
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FAQs for Manchester City vs Brentford
When is Manchester City vs Brentford in the EFL Cup?
Manchester City vs Brentford takes place on Wednesday, December 17 and kicks-off at 7.30pm.
Where is Manchester City vs Brentford being played?
The venue for the game is the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
Where can I watch Manchester City vs Brentford?
Sky Sports Main Event is showing the game live in the UK.
What is the match betting for Manchester City vs Brentford?
Manchester City are 1-3 to win in 90 minutes, Brentford are a 7-1 chance, with the draw 4/1 (Betfair).
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