A depleted Manchester City are heading to north London to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup.

The reigning English champions may be at the top of the Premier League table, but the points do not tell the full story of the injury crisis plaguing Pep Guardiola’s side. Not only is the latest Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri, out for the season, but Oscar Bobb isn’t expected back until the new year. Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker remain out with groin and hamstring injuries respectively.

Jack Grealish is also expected to miss his third consecutive game for the Citizens as he struggles with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, Jérémy Doku is likely to be out until the international break in November.

With so many injuries and three more away games in the next ten days, it’s safe to assume Guardiola will rely on his academy players in the Carabao Cup, a competition in which he admitted City would “not waste any energy”.

This is what City’s team could look like against Tottenham.

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GK: Stefan Ortega—Expect Ederson’s substitute to return to the starting lineup for the domestic cup game.

RB: Rico Lewis– Without Walker’s availability, the 19-year-old will be used as a right-back again. After only starting 17 games in all competitions last season, Lewis will be making his 13th start for City in the 2024-25 season.

CB: John Stones– After playing just a minute against Southampton at the weekend, the England international will strengthen the defensive line against Spurs.

CB: Kaden Braithwaite– The academy player impressed alongside the Stones against Watford in the third round of the competition. At just 16 years old, he could be playing in the first team for the second time this season.

LB: Nathan Aké— After an injury, Aké will replace Joško Gvardiol on the left wing. The Dutchman was not on the bench against Southampton, making him one of Guardiola’s most rested players.

DM: Nico O’Reilly– The academy player could make his third first-team appearance this season. The 19-year-old showed clean possession and was trustworthy in his own half in the third round of the Carabao Cup against Watford.

DM: İlkay Gündoğan—The ex-Barcelona man is another player Guardiola can add to his XI, especially after playing just four minutes against Southampton. Gündoğan brings plenty of midfield experience to complement his young supporting cast.

RW: Savinho—The Brazilian is one of City’s most creative playmakers, although he starts on the right wing rather than the left wing he prefers.

AM: James McAtee– Expect the 22-year-old to continue getting minutes as City deal with their injury crisis. The midfielder scored his first senior goal for the Citizens against ŠK Slovan Bratislava earlier this month.

LW: Matheus Nunes– Despite his inconsistent minutes, Nunes has already scored two goals and four assists for City this season, including the winner against Watford that sent City into the next round of the Carabao Cup.

ST: Phil Foden– The England international, currently 11th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, can take the lead on Wednesday to allow Erling Haaland to get some rest.

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