Pep Guardiola embarks upon his English domestic cup journey on Wednesday night when he takes his City side to the Liberty Stadium for what will be the first in a two-part feature this week with the Welsh outfit. What better way to prepare for a Premier League fixture than to play them in the cup just days before?
The League Cup, or the EFL Cup as it’s now named, doesn’t sit on the top of City’s priorities this season (although Guardiola does want to win it) so rotation is expected. Some of Guardiola’s mainstays that have featured in all eight matches so far this season should enjoy well-deserved rests and, with Nolito and Aguero serving suspensions, it’s a great opportunity to evaluate the youth players. Not to mention the chance of assessing what Swansea are all about, who may hold the EFL Cup in higher regard to the Sky Blues.
Despite the mind of Guardiola being impenetrable, here’s my predicted XI for the game including fringe players, our best prospects, and a captain’s return.
