Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Man City team news: Predicted Carabao Cup line up vs Fulham – Midfield stars return
MANCHESTER CITY take on Fulham in the Carabao Cup fourth round tonight, with a couple of high-profile stars set to make comebacks from injury.
Man City: Fulham boss Jokanovic previews Carabao Cup clash
Manchester City could be boosted by the presence of first-team midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan when they face Fulham tonight.
Manager Pep Guardiola is expected to make plenty of changes to his line-up following the 1-0 win over Tottenham on Monday, although a strong starting XI is still expected.
Kevin De Bruyne is in contention to start as he continues his recovery from knee ligament damage, having made three cameo appearances in the last two weeks.
The Belgian will aim to complete the full 90 minutes this time around against Fulham, who have been struggling on their return to the Premier League.
Slavisa Jokanovic’s side are yet to keep a clean sheet in 10 league matches and could fall foul of Man City’s rampaging attack, particularly if the Cottagers rotate their squad.
The west London side have lost four successive matches since beating Millwall in the third round last month and are currently 30/1 outsiders to lift the trophy.
Gabriel Jesus will be trusted to breach the visitor’s rearguard with Sergio Aguero likely to be rested, while Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez are expected to start out wide for City.
Meanwhile, David Silva could be given the night off if Ilkay Gundogan makes a return from a hamstring injury.
The German has been out for nearly a month but has returned to training and will hope to feature in midfield.
Bernardo Silva and Fernandinho are also competing with Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz in the centre of the pitch while Oleksandr Zinchenko or Fabian Delph could replace Benjamin Mendy at left-back.
Aymeric Laporte is set for a rest after impressing in the heart of defence this campaign, with Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi coming into the side.
Danilo is still out injured while Ederson could make way for Arijanet Muric in goal with Claudio Bravo out for the season.
Predicted Manchester City team vs Fulham – Carabao Cup fourth round
(4-3-3) Muric; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Delph; B. Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Sane, Jesus