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Manchester City start their Carabao Cup defence against Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night.
The Cityzens won the competition last season, defeating Arsenal 2-0 in the final at Wembley Stadium..
Meanwhile, Norwich have come through two rounds to get to this stage, beating MK Dons and Cardiff City along the way.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Manchester City vs. Norwich City key stats
- Man City are on a five-game winning run in all competitions.
- Norwich have lost three of five away matches across all competitions (W2).
- Man City have won the previous three H2Hs by an aggregate score of 14-0, with the last coming in 2022.
Manchester City vs. Norwich City preview: Cityzens to get job done?
Man City vs Norwich — Tale of the Tape
| Man City | vs | Norwich |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (Premier League) | Position | 12th (Championship) |
| 12 | Points | 9 |
| 8 | Goals For | 13 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 13 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 2nd | Home / Away Rank | 16th |
Pep Guardiola had a special relationship with the Carabao Cup, and now it is up to Enzo Maresca to continue his legacy.
The Spaniard left last season after winning it alongside the FA Cup, and it would provide the first piece of silverware Maresca could win at Man City.
The Cityzens will be big favourites to progress here against a lower-league side on home soil, and Maresca may even have confidence in fielding a second-string team and give the likes of Erling Haaland a rest.
Phil Foden is suspended though after his red card in the Manchester derby last time out, while Jeremy Doku is expected to miss out again through injury.
As for Norwich, they currently have three injuries in their ranks, but they too may field a rotated side with the Championship the priority.
The Canaries are stranded in midtable, and will have ambitions to push higher up and try and get into the play-offs come the end of the season.
Philippe Clement will know his team will likely have to surrender the majority of possession, so could pick a side suited for the counter-attack.
Nonetheless, Norwich know they are huge underdogs here, but there have been bigger cup shocks in the past.
Manchester City vs. Norwich City form guide & betting tips
| Man City | vs | Norwich |
|---|---|---|
WWWWW |
Form | WLWWL |
| 10 | Goals For | 12 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 8 |
N/A |
Carabao Cup | WW |
Whispers predicts: Manchester City 4-0 Norwich City
As expected, Man City are huge 2/13 (1.15) favourites to win in normal time, but while we agree with the bookies, we want to explore other bets.
Given the big scores the Cityzens have won by in this fixture most recently, Man City to win (-3 handicap) at 9/4 (3.25) offers value.
BTTS – No at 20/23 (1.87) could also come through given Man City have won their last three games to nil.
In terms of player betting, Iliman Ndiaye impressed off the bench against Manchester United, and could be given a start here.
Ndiaye to score anytime at 7/5 (2.40) is also worth exploring, while our prediction of a 4-0 Man City victory is also available at 9/1 (10.00).
> BTTS – No at 20/23 (1.87) | Likelihood: Probable
> Ndiaye to score anytime at 7/5 (2.40) | Likelihood: Possible
> Man City to win (-3 handicap) at 9/4 (3.25) | Likelihood: Possible