Manchester City is missing key players as the competition gets harder

Manchester City will head into their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford shorthanded, with several key players unavailable as Pep Guardiola continues to manage injuries and absences during a congested December schedule.

The match, set for Wednesday night at the Etihad Stadium, comes at a time when City are balancing domestic cup ambitions with the physical demands of playing seven games in one month. Jeremy Doku will miss the quarter-final after picking up a leg injury that also kept him out of Sunday's 3-0 Premier League win at Crystal Palace.

The Belgian winger has been one of City's most dangerous attacking options this season, and his absence removes a key source of pace and creativity on the flanks. Guardiola indicated that Doku could be sidelined for two to three weeks, with a potential return not expected until early January.

Stons and Rodri are also out with injuries

John Stones and Rodri remain unavailable as well, continuing to recover from thigh and hamstring injuries, respectively. Both players were also absent against Palace, and their continued unavailability leaves City without two of their most influential figures in the buildup and defensive phases.

Rodri's absence in particular is significant, given his role as the team's midfield anchor and tempo-setter, while Stones' versatility in defense and midfield has been a valuable tactical option under Guardiola. In addition to the injury concerns, City will also be without Omar Marmoush and Rayan Aït-Nouri in the coming weeks due to their call-ups for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Marmoush will represent Egypt, while Aït-Nouri joins Algeria, further thinning Guardiola's options during a critical stretch of the season. While their absences do not impact the Brentford match directly, they add to the broader challenge of squad rotation during the winter period.

Manchester City's still the favorite

Guardiola confirmed the situation when speaking to the media ahead of the tie, noting that Doku, Stones and Rodri remain out, while the rest of the squad is expected to be available. Despite the missing pieces, City still enter the match as strong favorites, backed by their depth and experience in the competition.

Manchester City have a storied history in the League Cup, winning the trophy eight times overall and four times under Guardiola. Victories over Huddersfield and Swansea have already booked their place in the quarter-finals, and a win against Brentford would move them one step closer to another semi-final appearance.

Even with key players sidelined, the opportunity to secure a place in the last four ensures a high-stakes atmosphere at the Etihad. How City adapt without several regular contributors will be one of the main storylines as Guardiola's side looks to maintain its grip on one of its most successful competitions.