Man City Starting XI vs Norwich City: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup
· Yahoo Sports
Man City Predicted XI vs Norwich as Enzo Maresca Weighs Carabao Cup Rotation
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Manchester City are expected to make changes for Thursday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Norwich at the Etihad Stadium. That is the sensible call. The fixture list is already busy, City are flying in the Premier League, and the Champions League has already started. Nobody at the club will be confusing this competition with the main event.
Enzo Maresca has started well as City head coach. Four league wins from four, plus a winning opening in Europe, gives him room to rotate. He did it before in this competition and there is every reason to think he will do it again here. Sunday brings another league match, this time at home to Sunderland, so the priority is obvious.
Man City team news before Norwich clash
Phil Foden is definitely out. His three-match suspension starts after the red card in the derby win over Manchester United. Jeremy Doku also looks set to miss out again with the calf injury that has kept him sidelined since the Community Shield.
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There should be opportunities for fringe players and new signings. Geronimo Rulli is in line to make his debut in goal after arriving from Marseille in the summer. Vitor Reis could make his first start of the season, while Rico Lewis is also expected to come into the side.
In midfield, Ayyoub Bouaddi looks ready for more minutes alongside Mateo Kovacic. There is also a strong chance for Allan to make his debut, which would add a bit of intrigue to a tie City should still control.
Carabao Cup rotation could reshape attack
Maresca has previously said he sees Rayan Ait-Nouri “more as a winger than a full-back”, and this could be the game to test that again from the start. Iliman Ndiaye is another option and is available despite already featuring in the competition earlier this season.
Erling Haaland looks overdue a breather, so Antoine Semenyo appears the most likely choice through the middle. Nico O’Reilly is also in the frame after his recent return from injury, although City may be careful with his minutes after a demanding summer.
Predicted Man City XI vs Norwich
Manchester City predicted XI: Rulli; Khusanov, Reis, Guehi, Lewis; Kovacic, Bouaddi; Allan, Ndiaye, Ait-Nouri; Semenyo
Injured: Doku, calf
Suspended: Foden
Etihad Stadium details for Thursday night
The match kicks off at 7.30pm BST on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Etihad Stadium. For City, it is a chance to spread minutes around the squad, protect key players and still progress. That is how serious clubs treat early-round domestic cup ties. No drama, no overthinking, just rotation and the expectation of getting the job done.