please log in to view this image v please log in to view this image Bristol C vs Man City please log in to view this image Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hinted at changes ahead of his team's trip to take on Bristol City in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-finals on Tuesday night, but the Catalan insists his focus is on victory at Ashton Gate. Guardiola - whose team hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg - wants to field a strong side to secure a place in next month's final at Wembley, but is conscious of the demands on his players as he juggles the challenges of four competitions. "Of course we are going to try to see the best team as possible but then Bernardo Silva, (Ilkay) Gundogan, (Eliaquim) Mangala will not be able to play and that will not be fair. I will say we are going to go there and try and win the game and go to the final," Guardiola said. Second-choice goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who has featured in all domestic cup matches this season and starred in two penalty shootout victories, is another likely to feature. Yaya Toure, Brahim Diaz and Oleksandr Zinchenko may also play. Zinchenko, a 21-year-old attacking midfielder, has made six appearances this season, mostly as a left-back through necessity, and impressed on his first Premier League start against Newcastle United on Saturday. City's 3-1 victory over Newcastle saw them back to winning ways after defeat at Liverpool and maintain a 12-point lead at the top of the table. Guardiola did not immediately turn his attention to Bristol City as he carried out media duties, but said that would soon change as he enjoyed his post-match drink. He said: "Normally I don't think about what we are going to do next (straight away). After my glass of red wine, a little bit of alcohol in my body, my focus is much better. After we are going to decide what is the best." Meanwhile, Lee Johnson admits victory over City would be one of the biggest results in the club's history. Johnson's side knocked Manchester United out in the quarter-final at Ashton Gate and the club are also chasing promotion to the Premier League, but the Bristol City boss conceded beating Guardiola's side would be huge. "For me, and the club, the Premier League is the dream," Johnson said. "But saying that as far as the team is concerned, for this team to beat Man City and the players they have got, it would rank as one of the best results in the club's history. "They'll go down in folklore. Some have already from the Manchester United game. We're going to enjoy it. "We'll keep going, we don't want to be brave losers. We want to compete and compete to win. The only way we will fulfil our ambitions is to get the results on the pitch. "This is where the heroes are born." Bristol City are fifth in the Sky BetChampionship, but are winless in their last six matches, including the last-gasp defeat at the Etihad. Bobby Reid's penalty was cancelled out by Kevin De Bruyne, before Sergio Aguero struck in stoppage time. They ended a five-game losing run with a 0-0 draw at Derby on Friday which left them five points behind the top two. Team news Bristol City duo Frank Fielding and Nathan Baker will both have late fitness tests, with goalkeeper Fielding suffering with a groin injury, while defender Baker has an ankle problem. City are still without Fabian Delph for the trip to Ashton Gate. The England midfielder, who has successfully switched to left-back this season, has a knee problem. Zinchenko or Danilo will play in the position. However, captain Vincent Kompany (calf) remains doubtful, while striker Gabriel Jesus (knee), midfielder Phil Foden (ankle) and defender Benjamin Mendy (knee) are all unavailable. Opta stats Bristol City have won just once in their last eight games against City in all competitions (D2 L5), losing each of the last three The Citizens haven't lost away to Bristol City since November 1979, losing 0-1 courtesy of a goal from David Rodgers. They won on their last visit to Ashton Gate in the League Cup second round in August 2007 (2-1) City have progressed from two of their previous three League Cup semi-finals in which they've won the first leg, the exception being against United in 2009-10 The last time a Championship side overturned a semi-final first leg deficit against a Premier League club in the competition was in 2000-01 - Birmingham lost the first leg 1-0 to Ipswich, before winning the return 4-1 at home Indeed, the Robins have never won a League Cup semi-final match, drawing two and losing three - all against top-flight opposition The last second tier team to reach the final of the competition were Cardiff City in 2011-12, who eventually lost on penalties against Liverpool City have won 12 and lost none of their last 14 League Cup matches against second tier opposition as a top-flight team since losing 2-1 to Nottingham Forest in December 1993 Bristol City have eliminated four top-flight clubs so far in this year's competition - the only other lower league side to knock out that many were Sheffield Wednesday in 1990-91, who that year were the last non top-flight side to lift the trophy please log in to view this image Bristol City's players celebrate opening the scoring against Man City at the Etihad Charlie's prediction The thing is with Manchester City getting that late winner you could see the frustrating on Bristol City's players' faces because they gave everything and City were average. Now, after doing to well packing men beihn dthe ball and playing on the counter-attack, they've got to open up. They might think they'll get more of the ball at the home but they won't. If they want try the Liverpool tactics and really press them then I think Man City will pick them off. I think Pep will play a strong side as he can make a couple of changes against Cardiff so I can only see a comfortable Man City win. Charlie predicts: 4-1 and De Bruyne to score first - 55/1 with Sky Bet Johnson's Challenge ~ https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/johnsons-challenge-to-his-cup-stars/ In Brief ~ https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/in-brief-pre-manchester-city-home-press-conference/ Media Watch ~ https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/media-watch-january-23rd/ BBC ~ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42698924 Gate Guide ~ https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/city-v-man-city-gate-guide/
Big, big ask as I think Man City will be really focussed and aware of our threat on the counter. But I thought the same of the first leg, so who knows? COYR
Sleep will be difficult for me tonight I think... I will be up at sparrows fart in the morning to watch though. COYR!!!!!
Bristol City FC Retweeted please log in to view this image BBC Bristol sport@bbcbristolsport 2h2 hours ago LIVE TONIGHT: @bcfctweets v Manchester City please log in to view this image @Carabao_Cup please log in to view this image 6pm (7.45pm KO) please log in to view this image 94.9FM, 95.5FM, 104.6FM, DAB, 1566mw please log in to view this image Freeview 719 & 722 please log in to view this image Geoff Twentyman, Richard Hoskin, Ed Hadwin & Gary Owers
I'm under no illusions. We are playing probably the best club side in the world at the moment who can (and do) destroy Premiership teams in minutes. But if we can keep it tight until half time and play our pressing game and go in at 0-0 it might make for a very exciting last 45 minutes. If they score first I think it will be game over.
I'm inclined to agree - unfortunately, Aguero's winner in the 1st leg was massive. Instead of kicking off needing to score, now they can control the game and draw us in. Still, there's nothing to lose and we can take some calculated risks.
I would be happy if we can give another good account of ourselves.....Confidence is key for our league campaign..
The first goal will be massive tonight, if its us, we will still have a massive uphill battle to hold on to anything but we will be in with a realistic chance.. if its them!! Anyway.. on my way down the gate now for what could be the biggest game in Bristol Citys history and i am gonna enjoy it whatever..
Good luck to you banksy for the first time this season I am truly jealous, give them hell and stuff it into them, I'm tingling all over just thinking about it.
I've managed to time flight to Ohio today to get me there in time to watch the game on ESPN3. Hope all you guys have a great night out. Whatever the outcome, it's been an amazing ride! Really bought smiles to faces that were so glum last year. COYR!!!!!!!
Just arrived at the hotel in Bristol ( near the Clifton Bridge) Where is best to go prematch that allows away fans in ?
