Manchester City Faces Brentford in League Cup Without Key Players

Manchester City is poised to face Brentford in the League Cup quarter-finals at home on December 17, 2025, but the team will be without several key players due to injuries and international commitments. Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed on December 16 that Belgian forward Jeremy Doku, who has been a standout performer this season, remains sidelined with a leg injury. Doku missed City’s recent 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League and is uncertain for the upcoming fixtures, with a possible return targeted for the match against Sunderland on January 1.

In addition to Doku, City will also be missing defender John Stones, who is dealing with a thigh injury, and midfielder Rodri, who is out with a hamstring issue. Furthermore, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri are currently on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, adding to Guardiola’s challenges as he prepares his squad for the clash against Brentford.

Guardiola emphasized the importance of advancing in the tournament, saying, “When you are one game away from the semi-finals, if you can take it, take it, because you never know when it’s coming back.” He expressed a desire to progress but acknowledged the constraints imposed by injuries and a congested fixture schedule that includes seven matches throughout December.

With the team’s depth being tested, James Trafford is expected to start in goal, replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma, the recently crowned FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper of 2025. Guardiola indicated that he would also make several adjustments to the starting lineup, featuring players who have seen less action recently, along with some from the academy. “James is going to play and all the players that didn’t play recently are going to play,” he stated, highlighting the need for rotation to manage player fatigue.

City, who have won the League Cup four times under Guardiola, are currently two points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race. As the team strives to balance their ambitions in both the league and the cup, the upcoming match against Brentford will be a crucial test of their resilience and depth.

Guardiola’s strategic decisions will be critical as he looks to navigate this challenging period while keeping the team competitive across all fronts.