Manchester City travel to Burton Albion on Wednesday to complete the formalities of their progress to the Carabao Cup final.
With a 9-0 first leg advantage this semi-final tie is to all intents and purposes over as a contest and City are on course for a second consecutive appearance in the final of the competition.
The hefty first leg scoreline, an accurate reflection of the mismatch and gulf in class between the Premier League champions and the fourth tier campaigners, is unlikely to be repeated in the second leg.
City host Burnley in an FA Cup fourth round clash on Saturday before travelling to Newcastle United three days later for a league assignment.
It is those two matches Pep Guardiola will already be setting his sights on. The Man City boss is therefore unlikely to risk his top players in a dead rubber at the Pirelli Stadium on Wednesday.
For the Brewers, the result of the return leg is secondary to the historic occasion.
The tie may have already been won and lost after the first meeting, but the return leg against the defending champions and top flight opposition is still an occasion to savour for Burton fans.
The Brewers come into the clash on the back of a 2-2 draw at Doncaster Rovers, while City beat Huddersfield Town 3-0 to stay on Liverpool’s coattails in the title race.
TEAM NEWS
Burton boss Nigel Clough is expected to put out his strongest available squad as his side goes out in search of a morale-boosting one-off win over their much fancied opponents.
The Brewers will not only be keen to avoid a repeat of the first-leg humiliation, but also to salvage a bit of pride.
Pep Guardiola is expected to make changes to the side that beat Huddersfield 3-0 on Sunday.
Gabriel Jesus, scorer of four goals in the first leg, deferred to Sergio Aguero for the weekend trip to West Yorkshire as Guardiola continues to rotate his squad to cope with a punishing schedule.
The Brazil international could return while Kevin de Bruyne is also in line for a recall as the midfielder continues to build his match fitness after an extended spell on the sidelines.
Riyad Mahrez is also set for a runout after failing to feature in City's last two matches since the win over Burton.
Guardiola is also expected to blood in some youngsters from the academy, with teenagers Ian Carlo Poveda, Iker Pozo and Taylor Richards tipped for inclusion in the matchday squad.
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Burton Albion v Manchester City
bet365 match odds: Burton 16/1, Draw 17/2, Man City 1/6
Manchester City travel to Burton Albion on Wednesday to complete the formalities of their progress to the Carabao Cup final.
With a 9-0 first leg advantage this semi-final tie is to all intents and purposes over as a contest and City are on course for a second consecutive appearance in the final of the competition.
The hefty first leg scoreline, an accurate reflection of the mismatch and gulf in class between the Premier League champions and the fourth tier campaigners, is unlikely to be repeated in the second leg.
City host Burnley in an FA Cup fourth round clash on Saturday before travelling to Newcastle United three days later for a league assignment.
It is those two matches Pep Guardiola will already be setting his sights on. The Man City boss is therefore unlikely to risk his top players in a dead rubber at the Pirelli Stadium on Wednesday.
For the Brewers, the result of the return leg is secondary to the historic occasion.
The tie may have already been won and lost after the first meeting, but the return leg against the defending champions and top flight opposition is still an occasion to savour for Burton fans.
The Brewers come into the clash on the back of a 2-2 draw at Doncaster Rovers, while City beat Huddersfield Town 3-0 to stay on Liverpool’s coattails in the title race.
TEAM NEWS
Burton boss Nigel Clough is expected to put out his strongest available squad as his side goes out in search of a morale-boosting one-off win over their much fancied opponents.
The Brewers will not only be keen to avoid a repeat of the first-leg humiliation, but also to salvage a bit of pride.
Pep Guardiola is expected to make changes to the side that beat Huddersfield 3-0 on Sunday.
Gabriel Jesus, scorer of four goals in the first leg, deferred to Sergio Aguero for the weekend trip to West Yorkshire as Guardiola continues to rotate his squad to cope with a punishing schedule.
The Brazil international could return while Kevin de Bruyne is also in line for a recall as the midfielder continues to build his match fitness after an extended spell on the sidelines.
Riyad Mahrez is also set for a runout after failing to feature in City's last two matches since the win over Burton.
Guardiola is also expected to blood in some youngsters from the academy, with teenagers Ian Carlo Poveda, Iker Pozo and Taylor Richards tipped for inclusion in the matchday squad.
TOP TIPS
Gabriel Jesus first goalscorer @ 3/1 bet365
Manchester City to win and both teams to score @ 11/10 bet365
Head to Head Comparison
Burton Albion - Last 5 Matches
Manchester City - Last 5 Matches