Burton Albion vs Manchester City, EFL Cup Semifinals – Second Leg: Team News, Preview and Prediction

Competition/Round: 2018/19 EFL “Carabao” Cup – Semifinals, Second Leg

Date/Time: Burton Albion vs Manchester City – Wednesday, 23 January 2019, 19:45 (UK); 14:45 EST, 11:45 PST (USA)

Venue: Pirelli Stadium, Burton upon Trent, England, United Kingdom

Match Officials:

Referee: Kevin Friend

Assistants: Matthew Wilkes, Simon Beck

Fourth Official: Paul Tierney

VAR: Craig Pawson, Scott Ledger

TV Info: Sky Sports Football (UK)

Live Stream: ESPN+ (USA)

Radio: BBC Radio Manchester (UK)

Preview:

Burton Albion will host the second leg of the EFL “Carabao” Cup Semifinal on Wednesday.

Following Burton Albion’s first leg routing in Manchester two weeks ago, the Tier 1 club has continued to struggle. Burton were defeated by Gillingham and then drew with Doncaster Rovers. Over their last three matches across all competitions, Burton have conceded 14 goals and only scored four. Having lost 9-0 to City in the first leg, Burton will play for pride in this match.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are within touching distance of their first trophy in the 2018/19 season. Assuming they will overcome Burton over the EFL Cup Semifinals (they lead 9-0 on aggregate), City will either face Chelsea or Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup Final.

Team News:

Burton Albion were without Damien McCrory in the match against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday. He is in doubt for this upcoming fixture.

Manchester City long-term absentees Claudio Bravo and Benjamin Mendy remain injured. The two, however, returned to training this week.

In other news, the Blues were hoping to field a younger team in this upcoming fixture. A scheduling conflict, however, will see the Manchester City Under-21s face Sunderland in the EFL “Checkatrade” Trophy Quarterfinals on January 22, one day before the senior team’s semifinal match. As a result, City may have to start a more-senior team than originally anticipated.

Possible Lineups:

Burton Albion

Formation: 4-3-3

Collins; Clarke, Brayford, Buxton, Hutchinson; Allen, Quinn, Fraser; Harness, Boyce, Atkins

Manager: Nigel Clough

Manchester City

Formation: 4-3-3

Muric; Bolton, Sandler, García, Zinchenko; De Bruyne, Delph, Foden; Mahrez, Jesus, Sané

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Prediction:

Given Manchester City are ahead 9-0 on aggregate after the first leg, it is extremely likely they will progress to the EFL Cup Final. Burton Albion would need to win this match 10-0, and the probability of them winning by this scoreline is slim to none.

Unfortunately, it is predicted this will be a rather drab affair. Burton may nick a goal against the Blues, but ultimately City will see this game as a routine training exercise. City to advance to the EFL Cup Final.

Burton Albion 1-1 Manchester City