Manchester City have not lost an EFL Cup tie since 2017 and have won five of the last six editions of this competition. However their outstanding record is sure to come under pressure from a West Ham side who rank among the form teams in England and are on a high following Sunday’s win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Both sides could rotate significantly but their performances in Europe have pointed to notable strength in depth that could serve them well in this competition if they can just get past Wednesday’s opponents. Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
Viewing information
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 26 | Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
Location: London Stadium — London
TV and live stream: ESPN+
Odds: West Ham +550; Draw +320; Man City -225 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
West Ham: The games are coming thick and fast for West Ham. Next week they will be looking to tie up top spot in their Europa League group against Genk, between the EFL Cup tie and then is a trip to Aston Villa where David Moyes’ side will be looking to cement a top four berth. In many spots of their squad — goalkeeper, center back, attacking midfield — there is the depth to deal with this heavy fixture list. However there is no natural back up for Michail Antonio.
Andriy Yarmolenko, Jarrod Bowen and Nikola Vlasic can all fill in to varying degrees but none offer the same challenge for defenders as the mobile, imposing figure of Antonio.
Manchester City: There are no such questions of depth for Pep Guardiola, whose side is riven with quality options who can play in a number of positions. Phil Foden has spent much of the last season and a bit wide on the left, there are those who believe he will eventually be the next David Silva, scheming from central midfield, but for now he is excelling as the nearest approximation City have to a center forward.
“Some players play in one position, some play football,” Guardiola said after Saturday’s win over Brighton. “The question is it doesn’t matter where he plays, he plays good. It doesn’t matter. What is important is to understand the game… sometimes we need him right, left. It doesn’t matter.
“He can play striker, false nine, winger right and left. In the last games he has many chances and in front of keeper didn’t take right decisions because is young but I am more than pleased with the performances he has given.”
Prediction
When Manchester City play in the EFL Cup there is only one sane prediction to make but do not expect West Ham to go down without a fight. PICK: West Ham 1 Man City 2
