Tuesday 9th January 2018 Kick off 1945hrs Manchester City v Bristol City Football – England – League Cup There was a huge shock in the last round of the League Cup as Bristol City defeated Manchester United and their perennial winning manager of this competition, Jose Mourinho. The reward for Lee Johnson’s men is a battle against the other half of Manchester – the so far unbeatable, City. Despite facing a huge task for the Championship club, it still promises to be two massive occasions and a chance to enjoy themselves further on what has been a tremendous cup run thus far. For City it’s another challenge on their quest to making this a season to remember.
It was business as usual for Pep Guardiola’s men on Saturday as they cruised into the next round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 dismantling of Burnley at the Etihad. They had to come from behind but the win means it is now 26 domestic games unbeaten this term. That could have came to an end in their final Premier League game of 2017, of course, when only a last minute penalty save from Ederson ensured they left Selhurst Park with a draw. They returned to winning ways at the first time of asking and approach the semi-final of the league cup on the back of two comprehensive home victories. Their participation in this particular competition has not been without incident either, requiring penalties to see off both Wolves and Leicester. Both times Guardiola has elected to make some changes but it was two very strong teams who took to the field. With a 15 point lead over rivals United in the Premier League, City can afford to play a more experienced team in this tie, and any potential final, safe in the knowledge that they are almost certainly going to win the title.
Bristol City have reached this stage of the League Cup twice before, the latest coming in season 1988/89. Realistically, it’s more than likely as far as they’ll go this time around as well considering the size of task that awaits them. However, the Robins were afforded a similar chance in the last round when coming up against the other half of Manchester. It was a night that will live long in the memory for all connected with Bristol City, especially in the circumstances of scoring a last minute winner in front of their own supporters. As alluded to above, we know how much Mourinho prioritises the League Cup and the fact that United were the reigning holders makes it a little more special. It’s another great achievement in Johnson’s time at the club, and occurred in a season where they are in with a real shout of automatic promotion to the Premier League. Currently in fourth spot, City are two points adrift of the second automatic promotion spot which looks to be between half a dozen or so clubs at the moment. That will ultimately take priority, as it should, over the cup competitions but Tuesday’s game is another opportunity for the supporters to dream.
Manchester City v Bristol City Betting Tip
Every time Manchester City take to the field in a domestic game, there is a growing feeling and desire of who is going to be the English team that finally managed to beat them this season. Palace came within a whisker but fell short whilst few others have managed to lay a glove on them whatsoever. It’s an unenviable task that awaits Bristol City considering it’s a two legged tie, but one in which the players and fans will be relishing the prospect of. Bristol City will also take some hope from the fact that Wolves – another Championship club – were able to take the Premier League leaders all the way to penalties, and did so without conceding. Leicester further cemented the feeling that the League Cup may well be where they are most vulnerable, again running them very close in the last round. That said, City have scored 43 domestic home goals this season and will have an array of talent on the park once again.
Bristol City will be hoping they can turn in a performance that allows them to go back to Ashton Gate in a fortnight’s time still in with a chance of causing yet another huge upset. Unfortunately, they are probably coming into the game in their worst run of form in just under a year having lost three straight games – conceding 10 and scoring just once. The match against Man City will be their third successive away game in a little over a week and that will be further taxing for a small squad. If anybody is going to take advantage of that then it’s Guardiola. The hosts have a massive game away to Liverpool on Sunday and they’ll be looking to put this to bed early, so take the home team to score in both halves.
Manchester City to score in both halves 1/2 @ Marathon Bet
