Manchester City vs Brentford prediction 17.12.2025 | EFL Cup

After one weaker season and only third position in the Premier League, Manchester City again have the chance to climb to the top. Pep Guardiola's team is currently two points behind Arsenal in the most important English competition. Also, the team is playing well in the Champions League, while in the EFL Cup are among the favorites for the trophy. 

Manchester City have been excellent lately as they have won the last five matches in a row. In the most recent outing, Guardiola's team won 3-0 on the road against Crystal Palace. Although the home side ended with significantly higher xG (1.88 to 1.19), the visitors' much better efficiency was enough for all three points. 

Manchester City are impressive offensively in recent weeks. They have scored 16 goals in the last five matches and will welcome Brentford with a lot of confidence. 

Manchester City have some problems with missing players. Jeremy Doku, Rodrigo, Omar Marmoush, John Stones, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Mateo Kovacic are injured and will not play on Wednesday night. 

Since Brentford returned to the Premier League in 2021, they have become a synonym for a mid-table team. The current campaign shouldn't be much different as Brentford are solid for most of the season. However, the last few weeks were challenging, as Keith Andrews' team collected only four points in the previous five matches. In the most recent outing, Brentford played 1-1 at home against Leeds. The hosts finished with xG of 0.72, while the guests had 1.51, so Andrew's team should feel fortunate to have avoided defeat. 

Brentford have struggled badly on the road in recent weeks, losing their last four away matches while conceding eight goals and scoring just once. With that kind of form, Andrews' side will need a dramatic turnaround simply to remain competitive at the Etihad Stadium.

Brentford will be without Joshua Dasilva, Frank Onyeka, Dango Ouattara, Antoni Milambo, and Fabio Carvalho on Wednesday in Manchester. Also, Reiss Nelson is questionable and his status will be clearer closer to the kickoff.