After a Community Shield capitulation against Arsenal, it has been a perfect start to the competitive season for new Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca and he looks likely to test some of his second string for the EFL Cup tie against Championship Norwich City on Thursday.
The Canaries have fought their way past MK Dons and Cardiff City to earn themselves this glamour tie and they will be looking to put the disappointment of Saturday’s 4-3 defeat to a last-gasp goal at Middlesbrough firmly behind them.
Manchester City v Norwich City Tips Summary
Best Bet - Manchester City to win & both teams to score @ 7/5
Alternative Bet - Iliman Ndiaye to score at any time @ 5/4
Bet Builder - Over three goals, Jose Cordoba to be booked and Andre Brooks to have a shot @ 29/4
Manchester City v Norwich City Prediction
Best Bet: Manchester City to win & both teams to score @ 7/5
Manchester City have won the EFL Cup in seven of the last 13 seasons and Maresca’s side will be confident they can get this year’s defence off to a winning start when Championship Norwich City visit the Etihad on Thursday.
It is a daunting task to follow Pep Guardiola as Citizens boss, but Maresca will be pleased with the way things are going, particularly after Sunday’s 1-0 victory in the derby against United.
However, they have kept just three clean sheets in their last ten home matches and that should give Norwich hope that they can at least get on the scoresheet.
They have scored 12 goals in their last five outings and while they may not have enough in their armoury to come out on top even against a second-string Citizens line-up, they could register in a defeat to the holders.
Alternative Bet: Iliman Ndiaye to score at any time @ 5/4
Manchester City held off the attentions of Tottenham Hotspur to land Iliman Ndiaye in the last days of the transfer window, and this could be the occasion when Maresca fully unleashes the former Everton forward.
Ndiaye has made two substitute appearances since moving to the Etihad, and with goal machine Erling Haaland unlikely to feature from the start, this could be his chance to shine.
The Senegalese forward will be eager to prove his worth and can react to a potential first Citizens start by finding the net against second-tier opponents.
Manchester City v Norwich City Bet Builder Tip
Over three goals
Jose Cordoba to be booked
Andre Brooks to have a shot
Pays 29/4
All but one of Norwich’s nine games this season have produced at least three goals and it looks sensible to suggest that this clash could go even further, particularly as the Canaries have suffered two 5-0 defeats and a 4-0 loss on the last three occasions they have faced Manchester City.
Jose Cordoba is expected to feature at the heart of the visitors’ defence and the Panamanian has had a difficult campaign, picking up five bookings in his eight Championship appearances and a red card for two cautions in last month’s 3-0 defeat at Millwall.
There looks to be scope for him to pick up another yellow in a tie that represents a step up in class, while his team-mate Andre Brooks could at least have an effort on goal.
The midfielder has had 18 attempts in seven second-tier outings and scored in the 4-1 first-round victory over MK Dons.
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Key Match Stats
Manchester City have won 14 of their last 17 competitive matches
Eight of Norwich’s last nine games have featured at least three goals
The Canaries have not kept a clean sheet in their last 16 outings
Both teams have scored in seven of Manchester City’s last ten home matches
The Citizens have scored 14 goals in their last three games against Norwich
The Norfolk outfit have scored in just two of their last eight games against the EFL Cup holders
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
