Manchester City host Norwich City in the Carabao Cup as the two sides battle it out at the Etihad Stadium for a place in the fourth round of the competition.
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Manchester City come into their fourth competition of the 2026/27 season - after Community Shield, Premier League, and UEFA Champions League outings so far - with a 100 per cent record in the latter two tournaments.
Having recorded Premier League wins over Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Coventry City, and most recently Manchester United, Enzo Maresca's side are full of confidence, with an away win at Portuguese champions FC Porto to add.
Most recently, a solitary Erling Haaland goal in the second-half at Old Trafford recorded all three points in the 199th Manchester derby, despite City being down to 10-men for over 70 minutes of the contest owing to Phil Foden's red card for a kickout on Bruno Fernandes.
Pro Ref chief refereeing officer, Howard Webb has now explained the key decisions from Sunday's 0-1 win for Manchester City against Manchester United at Old Trafford.cityxtra.co.ukPro Ref chief refereeing officer, Howard Webb has now explained the key decisions from Sunday's 0-1 win for Manchester City against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Howard Webb and Pro Ref Explain Enzo Fernandez Offside, Bruno Fernandes Kick, and Foden Red Card Decisions Against Man Utd
Thursday night's move to Carabao Cup action is the penultimate contest before the international break, with Manchester City closing the first portion of the season with a home meeting against Regis Le Bris' Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.
As for Thursday night's opposition, Norwich City come into this one whilst sitting 14th in the Championship on nine points after three wins and four defeats from their opening seven matches, and have so far beaten MK Dons and Cardiff City in the first and second rounds of the League Cup respectively.
Most recently, it was a dramatic afternoon in the North-East for the Canaries, as they conceded a 91st minute goal to Ashley Phillips at the Riverside Stadium to fall to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough.
On the injury, fitness, and availability front from a Manchester City perspective, Jeremy Doku is one of two enforced absences alongside Phil Foden, as the Belgian continues to recover from a calf injury sustained during the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has handed an update on Jeremy Doku's fitness ahead of Thursday night's Carabao Cup third round tie against Norwich City.cityxtra.co.ukEnzo Maresca Press Conference: Jeremy Doku Injury Update Ahead of Carabao Cup Third Round Tie
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has handed an update on Jeremy Doku's fitness ahead of Thursday night's Carabao Cup third round tie against Norwich City.
As for Foden, the England international starts his three-match ban for City after his red card for violent conduct during Sunday's 0-1 win over Manchester United, with the midfielder also due to miss Premier League meetings at home to Sunderland and away to Liverpool.
Ahead of kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, here is how both Enzo Maresca and Philippe Clement have lined up their respective Manchester City and Norwich City sides in Carabao Cup action!
Manchester City
Starting XI: Rulli, Lewis, Khusanov, Reis, O’Reilly, Bouaddi, Kovačić (C), Samba, Allan, Aït-Nouri, Cherki.
Substitutes: Donnarumma, Anderson, Guéhi, Ndiaye, Fernández, Nunes, Semenyo, McAidoo, Braithwaite.
Norwich
Starting XI: Grimshaw; Fisher, Darling, Alves, Yongwa; Field, Wright, Slimane; Crnac, Kvistgaarden, Diallo.
Substitutes: Kovacevic, Stacey, McConville, Chrisene, Mattsson, Maghoma, Schwartau, Musaba, Toure.