Update – 28 October: This article has been updated with the latest Manchester City team news, confirmed match officials and additional information ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie.
City return to Carabao Cup action on Wednesday when Brighton and Hove Albion visit the Etihad Stadium in the fourth round.
Enzo Maresca’s side are looking to respond after Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Aston Villa brought their seven-game winning run to an end. City reached the last 16 with a 5-0 victory over Norwich City, while Brighton came from 2-0 down to beat Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford.
Man City v Brighton match details and how to watch
The fourth-round tie takes place on Wednesday, 28 October, with kick-off at 7.30pm UK time.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Manchester City v Brighton |
| Competition | Carabao Cup fourth round |
| Date | Wednesday, 28 October 2026 |
| Kick-off | 7.30pm UK / 2.30pm ET / 11.30am PT |
| Venue | Etihad Stadium |
| UK TV | Sky Sports+ |
| UK streaming | Sky Go / Sky Sports app / NOW |
| US streaming | Paramount+ |
Supporters in the UK can watch the game live on Sky Sports+, while the tie can also be streamed through Sky’s services and NOW. Paramount+ will carry the game in the United States.
City will be without several senior players after Maresca decided to give Erling Haaland, Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol, Elliot Anderson and Gianluigi Donnarumma three days off following the defeat at Villa Park.
Gerónimo Rulli has been confirmed as City’s starting goalkeeper and will make his second appearance for the club. Matheus Nunes also remains unavailable through injury, meaning Maresca is expected to make significant changes as he manages his squad through a busy run of fixtures.
Rulli kept a clean sheet on his City debut in the 5-0 third-round victory over Norwich, a night which also provided opportunities for several younger members of Maresca’s squad.
Who is refereeing Man City v Brighton?
Andrew Madley has been appointed referee for Wednesday’s tie, with Nick Hopton and Mark Stevens his assistants. Thomas Bramall will be the fourth official.
| Match official | Appointment |
|---|---|
| Referee | Andrew Madley |
| Assistant referee | Nick Hopton |
| Assistant referee | Mark Stevens |
| Fourth official | Thomas Bramall |
Madley has already taken charge of City this season, overseeing their 4-1 Premier League victory at Crystal Palace in August. City have won 13 of the 18 matches he has refereed involving the club across his career, with two draws and three defeats.
VAR will not be in operation for the fourth-round tie.
City and Brighton meet again on Saturday
Wednesday begins an unusual double-header between the clubs, with Brighton returning to the Etihad for a Premier League meeting on Saturday afternoon.
Maresca has described Fabian Hürzeler’s side as brave and aggressive and expects a difficult test despite City’s planned changes. Brighton have made an impressive start to the Premier League campaign and showed their threat in this competition by recovering from two goals down to eliminate Manchester United in the previous round.
The clubs have met once before in the League Cup, with Brighton producing a memorable upset in 2008. That tie finished 2-2 after extra time before the Seagulls won the penalty shootout 5-3.
City will be hoping for a different outcome this time as they look to reach the quarter-finals and immediately respond to their first Premier League defeat under Maresca.
Supporters unable to watch can also follow live text, statistics and updates through Manchester City’s official match centre, with CITY+ providing live audio commentary.
For all the latest Manchester City news, reaction and analysis, visit our Man City news page.
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