EFL semi-final: Man Utd v Man City Predictions and free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Manchester United v Manchester City in the EFL Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 7.45pm Wednesday

Best bet

Man City
1pt Evs general

Team news

Manchester United
Edinson Cavani is suspended.

Manchester City
Ederson, Eric Garcia, Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker have been self-isolating and Aymeric Laporte (hamstring) missed the 3-1 win at Chelsea.

Match preview

Manchester City have dominated the League Cup in recent years and they can take a massive step towards lifting the trophy for a fourth successive season by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Less than a month ago City were criticised for their part in a dull 0-0 draw at the Theatre of Dreams which left them ninth in the Premier League.

However, City have played at a better tempo in recent weeks and produced one of their best performances of the season to see off Chelsea 3-1 on Sunday.

They are back in the thick of the title race but are respectful of every competition and have a proud record in the League Cup, lifting the trophy five times in the last seven seasons.

Pep Guardiola's options are restricted by the Covid outbreak which ruled six players out of contention at Stamford Bridge. But he was able to field a strong side against the Blues and there was a sharpness about City's work which had not been seen in the early part of the campaign.

The game was effectively won by half-time, allowing City to play the second half with the handbrake on, and it shouldn't be asking too much for key players to go again three days later.

United have had an extra two days to prepare after winning 2-1 at home to Aston Villa on Friday and will probably go with a similar starting line-up.

They played some decent football against Villa and the performance will have pleased Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had watched his side labour to a 1-0 success at home to Wolves three days previously.

With the halfway stage of the season fast approaching United are in a strong position, but they have struggled in the biggest matches - taking two points from a possible 12 against big-six teams - and that will have to change if their quest for silverware is to have a happy ending.

City have had well documented problems in the most difficult away games but the manner of their victory over Chelsea is likely to have given them huge belief.

The Covid pandemic has affected every club in different ways but the postponement of City's clash away to Everton last Monday may have been a blessing in disguise for Guardiola's men, allowing them a breather at an ideal moment in the campaign.

City's slick performance on Sunday was far too much for Chelsea to cope with and a repeat of those standards should ensure another trip to Wembley.

Key stat

Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 11 matches.

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