Man City lineup vs. Huddersfield Town: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest as Guardiola to rest Haaland, other stars in Carabao Cup

Vishal Bhawani

Man City lineup vs. Huddersfield Town: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest as Guardiola to rest Haaland, other stars in Carabao Cup image

Huddersfield Town will look to cause another upset when they welcome Manchester City in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday.

The League One side have already knocked out Leicester City and Sunderland on penalties and remain unbeaten in all cup competitions this season.

Lee Grant's men sit fifth in the league but have only one win in their past four games, and the visit of City is undoubtedly their toughest test yet.

Pep Guardiola's side enter the competition at this stage and arrive on the back of improved form, with two wins and a draw in their past three matches, including a derby victory over Manchester United and a draw at Arsenal.

City have a rich modern history in the EFL Cup, winning four straight titles from 2018 to 2021, and they will aim to start another run here.

Despite Huddersfield's home advantage and cup heroics so far, City's quality and depth make them strong favourites to progress. The Terriers will need another perfect night to keep their giant-killing dream alive at the John Smith's Stadium.

MORE: Erling Haaland smashes yet another Champions League record in blistering time

Man City lineup vs. Huddersfield Town: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest

City will be without Rayan Ait-Nouri, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki through injury, while Erling Haaland is set to be rested after back pain forced him off against ArsenalMateo Kovacic is also a doubt for this fixture.

James Trafford is tipped to start in goal as Guardiola is expected to rotate heavily, with Savinho, Rico Lewis, Nico Gonzalez and Oscar Bobb all pushing for starts. Teenager Divine Mukasa could also be involved.

Exactly how Guardiola shapes his attack with Haaland and Marmoush missing remains to be seen. One option is to have Phil Foden as a false nine, flanked by Bobb and Savinho.

Man City predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Trafford (GK) — Nunes, Stones, Ake, Lewis — Mukasa, Gonzalez, Reijnders — Bobb, Foden, Savinho

Injured: Kovacic (Achilles), Ait-Nouri (ankle), Marmoush (knee), Cherki (quadriceps tear), Haaland (back pain)
Suspended: None

Man City vs. Huddersfield Town match details

  • Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 
  • Kickoff time: 7:45 p.m. local / 2:45 p.m. ET / 11:45 a.m. PT / 4:45 a.m. AEST (Sep. 25)
  • Location: John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield (England)
  • Competition: Carabao Cup
  • Referee: Michael Salisbury

Man City news and related link

  • Pep Guardiola claims schedule forces Man City to 'adapt and accept' Arsenal draw
  • Former Man City star names new signing 'bigger than Isak' in Pep Guardiola's squad
  • Man City star rejects Arsenal as 'biggest Premier League rivals' claim

Vishal Bhawani

Vishal Bhawani is a sub-editor for the Affiliate Content team and a writer and sub-editor for the Football Wires team at The Sporting News. Based in Indore, India, he holds a Diploma in Operations and Management from Maharashtra University.

Before joining TSN in May 2024, Vishal contributed to Football Express and Six Sports and ran his own blog, Anfield Home, as a passionate Liverpool fan. An avid traveler, he follows multiple sports, including cricket, soccer, and tennis.