Introduction
(EFL) English Football League Cup or as we say it recently, The Carabao Cup is up for its 51st Final. A chance to win a Trophy. The Blues from Manchester, which is set to take on the Whites from North London. The final is set to take place at iconic Wembley Stadium. The Stadium is known for some shocking, yet entertaining results across this League Cup. We hope this game produces some enthralling edge-of-the-seat live action at its best.
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A star-studded Manchester City team is gonna fight the Whites, who are quite unsettled in their league stature. Whites can give a tough fight when it comes to League Cup. Manchester City has been in impeccable form with just a loss in the last 5 games. They can be unstoppable if they keep on going their style of play with the support of Pep Guardiola. Whereas Tottenham has received a rather shock of Jose leaving, but this team has an ability to perform with luck and momentum by their side. It will be a great encounter to watch out for.
Why to Watch Out For
Amidst all the ESL drama ongoing. We have a Finals to play between the 2 founding members. It’s Manchester City taking on Spurs. For Man City, it’s their 4th consecutive Finals in this competition. They have lifted this trophy on the past 3 occasions. While fort their opponents Spurs it is their first chance to win a silverware in 13 years. On one hand, we have a Champion side while on the other we have a side that is eager to win a silverware to end their 13 years of silverware drought.
Another special reason to watch this match is that for this game we will see fans back in the stadium. Fans will be back in the stadium supporting their respective teams for the first time since the start of the Pandemic last year. Around 8000 fans are permitted for this match inside the Wembley Stadium.
In all, a very thrilling match is awaited between the two sides at Wembley. The match to due to getting start at 21:00 IST or 04:30 GMT.
Build up
Man City
Man, City was cruising through their games winning all be it PL CL or the Cup competitions. They looked like a perfect team ticking all their boxes. But recently they were outplayed in two matches. First by Tuchel Chelsea in FA Cup semis killing their dream of Quadruple. Second time in Pl by Bisela Leeds. Fortunately for them, they do return to winning ways last game week against Aston Villa.
Form :- WWLWW
Spurs
The story for Spurs is very different from that of City. At the start of the calendar year, 2021 in January Spurs looked like a formidable team. Mourinho’s second magic was working. But by April all fell apart for Spurs. Results started to disappear and the news of rifts in between the squad and manager started to come up. Finally, it ended with Jose Mourinho getting sacked.
Spurs appointed their former midfielder Ryan Mason as their interim manager till the end of the season. Mason in turn became PL’s youngest manager at age of 29. Mason’s tenure started with Spurs overcoming Southampton in a hard-fought victory.
Form :- WDLDW
Team News and Lineups
Manchester City
Manchester City will have to play this game without Duo of KDB and Aguero. KDB is sidelined with an ankle injury. Aguero has a muscle problem and looks highly doubtful for the clash. Another man who will be missing this match is Centre Back John Stones who is suspended.
Predicted Lineup
Predicting Manchester City lineup is a hell of a task. Getting Pep lineup correct means it your luck day.
For Cup games in goal, Zack Steffen starts but this being the Final game Ederson might start this one. In defense at center back Ruben Dias will definitively start. Along with Dias since Stones is suspended Laporte might start. In the fullback position, Walker will start. At left-back, he might opt for a more balanced one in Zinchenko or might go for a more attacking option in Mendy.
In midfield since KDB’s absence, Gundogan and Rodri will surely start. For that third midfield spot, there will be a tossup between Phil Foden and B. Silva. Foden might edge out. In attack, Sterling will start on the left with Maharez on right with either Jesus or Torres in that False 9 role.
Predicted XI :- 4-3-3
Goalkeeper :- Ederson
Defenders: – Mendy Dias Laporte Walker
Midfielder :- Gundogan Rodri Foden
Attack :- Sterling Mahrez Jesus
Spurs
Spurs will miss their star man in Harry Kane who Is out injured. Also, the fullback duo of Spurs is got injured. Left-back Ben Davies is ruled with a calf injury. While Right Back Doherty is out with a muscle problem.
In goal experience, Hugo Lloris will start. In defense experience pairing of Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier. Aurier and Reguillon will start as the fullbacks. In midfield, Hojbjerg will definitely start. Either Winks or Celso or even Sissoko will start along with Hojbjerg in that deeper midfield role. Our pick is Le Celso. Ndombele will take up that CAM role along with Bale and Son upfront. In absence of Kane Lucas Moura will assume the striker role.
Predicted XI :- 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper :- Hugo Lloris
Defender :- Aurier Alderweireld Dier Reguilon
Midfielder :- Hojbjerg Celso
Attacking Midfield :- Bale Ndombele Son
Striker :- Moura
Head-to-Head
The results have been split right down the middle between the two sides. Manchester City has claimed 64 wins while Tottenham has picked up 63. This fixture has ended all square on 36 different occasions.
Their last encounter came back in February in the Premier League, when Manchester City cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win.
Players to watch out for
Manchester City
Phil Foden
20-years-old English forward has been cherishing his breathtaking season. His staggering displays define the player’s endowment in a wayward manner. Foden’s decisiveness upfront, as well as, his lethal approach towards his principles, have been one of those jubilant sights of this campaign. Foden van adapts and plays various positions in that lineup. With 7 goals and 5 assists in 29 appearances across all competitions in this season. He has often emerged as the game-changer for The Citizens.
Having showcased his brilliance especially in recent outings, it could be another memorable evening for Phil Foden. The player does possess a unique ability to pull the strings in the most gruesome layers of any game, and at this time, the English international would be looking forward to annihilating Spurs’ defensive line.
Riyad Mahrez
This Striker coming all the way from Algeria has made his mark in England over the years. A goal in the EFL Campaign can’t make you judge him, how well he can finish the ball in the final Third-Half or inside the box region. He is the one player who can trouble the defense and make the scorers busy by adding his name in the score sheet.
Spurs
Son
Son has been one of the instrumental players in this Spurs side. Now with Kane’s absence, it will be on Son Shoulder to take Spurs closer to their first silverware in 13 years. He has already plundered 15 goals and provided 9 assist this season. Right now, it seems that whenever the South Korean gets a sight of a goal, he’s probably going to score. Son also loves to play against Manchester City.
The Korean international scored the key goals for Tottenham in their Champions League triumph over City in 2019 – the winner in the first leg and a brace in the second. If City is to win this game, then they must find a way to stop Son from getting chances in front of the goal otherwise, the trophy will go to Tottenham.
Tanguy Ndombele
He needs to perform for Tottenham in this big finals. He might lead the front today with his quick decisive feet, and quite good passing all over. An assist in his league cup might want to make him improve his record in the final.
Conclusion
Though all these factors contribute to hype up this game, still there is a lot in this game of football to watch out for. This League Cup Final can be amusing and full of entertainment. Fans in the stadium will add an extra bit of drama it needs. But overall, a must-watch game for the fans whichever side you are on.
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Ashutosh Welankar
Ashutosh Welankar Law graduate by degree. Football lover and blogger by passion.