EFL Cup: How the big guns stack up

EPL leader Manchester City will face Championship high-flyer Wolves while United would hope to make amends for its embarrassing 1-2 defeat at the hands of Huddersfield when it takes on Swansea City on Tuesday.

Published : Oct 24, 2017 19:50 IST

Sergio Aguero is one goal away from becoming the all-time leading scorer in the history of Manchester City.
Sergio Aguero is one goal away from becoming the all-time leading scorer in the history of Manchester City.
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Sergio Aguero is one goal away from becoming the all-time leading scorer in the history of Manchester City.

Manchester City vs. Wolves

EPL leader Manchester City returns to action at The Etihad when it hosts Wolverhampton for its League Cup fourth round match. City's stunning run this season notwithstanding, Tuesday's game assumes significance since striker Sergio Aguero is one goal away from becoming the all-time leading scorer in the history of Manchester City.

Guardiola's men will face Championship leader Wolves, which with three straight wins, is clear of Cardiff at the top of the table. And while a contest against rampaging City may appear to be a mismatch, it'll be a litmus test of Wolves' readiness to compete in the top tier.

Manchester United vs. Swansea City

Swansea City, No.15 in the EPL, will lock horns with in-form Manchester United, which sits five points adrift off Pep Guardiola's men at the top. A shock 1-2 defeat against Huddersfileld Town may have dented United's spirits but Jose Mourinho's men will start as favourite against a Swansea side which will be without star striker Wilfried Bony and midfielder Renato Sanches.

Sanches came off 12 minutes from time in last Saturday's 2-1 loss to Leicester City with a thigh injury and Bony, who has made only four appearnces for the club this season, is recovering from a hamstring injury. Spanish footballer Roque Mesa will start against United, head-coach Paul Clement has confirmed.

Meanwhile, United would hope to address its defensive woes which cost it the game last time. Central defender Eric Bailly will remain absent from Tuesday's match and with Phil Jones too plagued by injury, Victor Lindelof, whose defensive error handed Huddersfield the match, should feature in the playing XI once again.

Suffice to say, the result may eventually boil down to which team holds its nerves better when put under the pump.

Arsenal vs. Norwich

Having thrashed a hapless Everton side 5-2 last Sunday, Arsene Wenger's men would hope to continue their winning run in the Carabao Cup clash with Norwich at The Emirates. With only a day's rest between its fixtures, Arsenal is expected to rest star players Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil for Tuesday's match. England midfielder Jack Wilshere, fresh off an impressive 13-minute cameo against Everton, will be the focal point alongside 32-year-old French footballer Mathieu Debuchy who is expected to return as well. Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny has also been tipped to start for the Gunners.

Chelsea vs. Everton

Victor Moses remains absent for Chelsea which has blown hot and cold this season. Everton, on the other hand,would be hoping for a flip in its fortunes, especially after its demoralising defeat at the hands of Arsenal; the departure of head-coach Ronald Koeman only compounding its woes. Oumar Niasse would look to impress, while Ademola Lookman could make a start for the Blues. Yannick Bolasie is still absent, and Idrissa Gueye is suspended following his red card against the Gunners.

Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Ham United

West Ham will feel the heat when it takes the field against a Tottenham side which put Liverpool to the sword with a convincing 4-1 win. Bilic's men are 16th in the Premier League table at the moment with just eight points from nine matches and last week's 0-3 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion at the London Stadium would have done no good to the team's confidence.

Third-placed Spurs, riding high on form, would hope to dish out another impressive performance.

Wednesday (kick-offs 12:15 a.m. unless stated)

Arsenal v Norwich, Bournemouth v Middlesbrough, Bristol City v Crystal Palace, Leicester v Leeds, Manchester City v Wolves (12:30 a.m.), Swansea v Manchester United

Thursday

Chelsea v Everton (12.15 a.m.), Tottenham v West Ham (12:30 a.m.)

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