Southampton and Manchester City will battle for a spot in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
This cup run has been a rare glimmer of hope for the Saints, who sit bottom of the Premier League, while their opponents are on the hunt for every trophy available once again this season and will fancy themselves to pick up a comfortable win here.
Here’s all you need to know about this one.
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Southampton team news
Saints boss Nathan Jones has confirmed both centre-back Armel Bella-Kotchap and midfielder Stuart Armstrong are not yet ready to return from injuries, leaving them on the sidelines alongside Tino Livramento, Juan Larios, Alex McCarthy and Theo Walcott.
Former City academy gems Romeo Lavia, Gavin Bazunu and Sam Edozie are all in line to feature, as is new signing Mislav Orsic.
(3-4-2-1): Bazunu; Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Salisu; Walker-Peters Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Perraud; Edozie, A. Armstrong; Adams
Man City team news
Kalvin Phillips is set to finally start his first game for City since joining from Leeds in the summer, with the midfielder expected to take Rodri’s place in the starting lineup.
Ruben Dias is still out but Jack Grealish is believed to have recovered from an illness and could feature in some capacity.
(4-3-3): Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gomez; Phillips, Foden, Gundogan; Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish
Southampton will be under no illusion that they could be on the wrong end of a hiding here if City decide to dish one out.
Pep Guardiola’s side were ruthless in the first half against Chelsea before taking an obvious step back after the break when the game was clearly won, and they’ll expect to have built up a similar advantage just as quickly here.
Jones’ side will give their all but, with this cup always a fantasy and their Premier League survival very much in danger, would be wise to prioritise their meeting with Everton on Saturday.
Prediction: Southampton 0-3 Man City
Credit: 90min.com
