Prediction: Manchester City vs Wycombe Wanderers

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to make an immediate return to winning ways on Tuesday night, defending EFL Cup champions Manchester City will welcome Wycombe to the Etihad.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have been tipped as a landslide pick to extend on their purple patch over the weekend, the Sky Blues put in what was a largely toothless display. Eventually held to a frustrating 0-0 stalemate against a rugged Southampton on home soil, Pep Guardiola would have been far from pleased by his side’s performance at the Etihad. Failing to find a way to build off of their stunning 6-3 win against German outfit RB Leipzig on Champions League duties last week, City will be desperate for an immediate response on Tuesday night. With many still tipping them as a leading contender to defend their Premier League crown this season, the former Bayern Munich boss should at least be boosted by his side’s domestic displays at the back. Grabbing themselves another clean sheet in their goalless draw against the Saints on Saturday, Guardiola’s side have conceded just a single domestic strike so far this season.

Team News

Still in self-isolation after returning a positive COVID-19 test earlier in the month, Zack Steffen will once again be missing on Tuesday night.

Pep Guardiola should once again be without the likes of John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Rodri, and Aleksander Zinchenko due to injury issues. However, a returning Phil Foden could be selected from the start.

Wycombe Wanderers

As for the visitors, after losing their Championship status over the summer, Wycombe did open their League One return with an eye-catching purple patch at the start of August. Marking their third-tier return with many tipping Gareth Ainsworth’s side as a standout pick in the promotion chase once again, the Chairboys would have been glad to have brought an end to their mini blip over the weekend. Hit with a shock 3-1 defeat against Aston Villa’s U21’s while on EFL Trophy duties last month, Wycombe found themselves in the midst of a three-match winless run on either side of the international break. However, knowing that they will need a minor miracle when they travel to the Etihad on Tuesday night, the Wanderers did manage to at least pick up some much-needed momentum. Finding a way to extend their buffer in the play-off spots, the midweek guests did land a deserved 2-1 victory against Charlton on Saturday.

Team News

Veteran striker Adebayo Akinfenwa could be in line for a start at the Etihad with Gareth Ainsworth expected to ring the changes on Tuesday night.

Number one keeper David Stockdale could also be handed a break in Manchester and should be replaced with Adam Przybek.

Key Factors to Consider

• This is the first meeting between Tuesday’s opponents since Wycombe picked up a 2-1 victory back in 1999.
  Despite having to settle for a 0-0 draw over the weekend, Manchester City have conceded just a single domestic goal so far this season.
  The Wanderers’ 2-1 win against Charlton on Saturday was their first win from their last four matchups across all formats.
  Continuing on from last season, the Sky Blues have shipped just one goal from their last four EFL Cup ties.
  City have lost just one of their last 10 EFL Cup ties at the Etihad.

Conclusion

While Manchester City might have had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Southampton over the weekend, Pep Guardiola’s side should be smelling a routine evening’s work at the Etihad. Opening their Champions League campaign with a stunning nine-goal thriller against RB Leipzig on home soil last week, Wycombe will know that they are in need of a minor miracle on Tuesday night. Despite landing a 2-1 victory against Charlton on Saturday afternoon, the midweek hosts rightfully open as a landslide pick here. Given City’s remarkable squad depth, it is hard to see anything other than an easy outing for the defending Premier League champions.

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Unibet