Man City vs Tottenham - Carabao Cup Final Team News and Prediction

The first major piece of silverware is up for grabs today as Manchester City take on Tottenham in the Carabao Cup final. City have won the League Cup five times in the last seven seasons and will look to make amends following their FA Cup semi-final exit last weekend, that wrecking their chances of the quadruple. 

However, Spurs relieved Jose Mourinho of his duties early last week and his dismissal has paved the way for Ryan Mason to take over. Mourinho's exit seems to have lifted the gloom engulfing north London and supporters are hoping the new manager bounce continues today. 

Ahead of the Carabao Cup final, we provide all the key pre-match information, including when the game kicks off, where to watch this encounter, team news and probable XIs. 

When is kick-off?  

Sunday 25th April, 16:30 GMT  

Where is the match?  

Wembley Stadium, London  

What TV channel is it on?  

Sky Sports Football / Sky Sports Main Event  

Route to the final 

Manchester City haven't had the easiest run to the Carabao Cup final. Their third round campaign kicked off with the welcome of Championship side Bournemouth back in September, as goals from Liam Delap and Phil Foden secured a 2-1 win. They followed up that victory with a 3-0 win at Burnley as a Raheem Sterling brace and a first City goal for Ferran Torres set up a meeting with Arsenal. 

Pep Guardiola's side made light work of the Gunners at the Emirates, securing a 4-1 success in the capital. Gabriel Jesus put City ahead with just three minutes on the clock, only for Alexandre Lacazette to draw the Gunners level on the half hour mark. However, City found their groove 10 minutes after the restart as Riyad Mahrez put City back in front before goals from Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte wrapped up the victory. 

Unlikely goal heroes John Stones and Fernandinho saw City land a Manchester Derby win back in January to set up a final meeting with Tottenham. Spurs' route to Wembley has been a touch easier. They received a bye in the third round after a COVID-19 outbreak at Leyton Orient and dispatched of Chelsea on penalties to see out September. 

A tough trip to Stoke awaited Spurs, but they made light work of the Potters as goals from Gareth Bale, Ben Davies and Harry Kane earned a comfortable victory. The north London side then defeated Championship promotion hopefuls Brentford on home turf as Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-Min netted either side of half time to book their place in the final. 

Team News 

John Stones is suspended after his red card in Manchester City's 2-1 win at Aston Villa in midweek, with Aymeric Laporte expected to start alongside Ruben Dias at the back. Talisman Kevin De Bruyne and striker Sergio Aguero have both travelled with the squad, though with a Champions League meeting with PSG looming, both may feature from the bench. Zack Steffen will hope to start between the sticks having played in every domestic cup game for Pep Guardiola's side this season, though with this being a final, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Ederson given the nod. 

Interim Tottenham boss Ryan Mason is expected to have Harry Kane fit to feature in some capacity after he sustained an ankle injury in a 2-2 draw with Everton earlier this month, that stalemate proving to be Jose Mourinho's last at the Tottenham helm. Ben Davies is certainly ruled out for the north London side, while Matt Doherty is closing in on a return to fitness. Joe Rodon is ineligible having featured for Swansea in the earlier rounds of the Carabao Cup. 

Probable XIs 

Manchester City (433) - Steffen; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Jesus, Foden

Tottenham (4231) - Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Ndombele; Bale, Moura, Son; Kane

Key Battle: Phil Foden vs Son Heung-Min

Phil Foden has been a revelation for Manchester City this season, and has played a key role in their progression to the Carabao Cup final. Indeed, the youngster has scored two and provided a further two assists for the Premier League leaders in his three outings, securing the man of the match award in meetings with Bournemouth and Arsenal. Having scored three goals in his last five outings, Foden comes into the final in good form and after playing a starring role in last season's final, he is well versed in the demands that come in performing on the big stage.

Son Heung-Min held his nerve to bag a late penalty in Ryan Mason's first game as interim head coach of Tottenham in midweek and it's this composure that Spurs need against Manchester City today. Son has scored six goals in his 12 meetings with City, making the Premier League powerhouse his second favourite English opponent in terms of goals scored, and he'll seek to add to his record against Guardiola's side at Wembley.

Score Prediction: Manchester City 1-0 Tottenham