Manchester City, who are one of the favourites left in the competition, will travel to Everton.
Advertisement
A Merseyside derby final would be a fantastic occasion, but Keown believes that, right now, Liverpool are the better team than the Toffees.
Manchester City’s Fernandinho, right, fights for the ball against Hull City’s Andrew Robertson during the English League Cup soccer match between Manchester City and Hull City at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015. However, lately they weren’t looking as good, losing to the Spurs and Watford and drawing against West Brom and Everton, which explains the odds of just 33/4 they got for a win.
Stoke are the only side against which Pablo Zabaleta has scored more than one goal for Man City in all competitions (two goals in total).
Stoke have netted just seven goals in their 14 Premier League games against Manchester City. The two-time Premier League champions haven’t managed a clean sheet without their captain this since, while Aguero’s absence will obviously serve to blunt their attacking edge.
On December and January importance: “I think December and January are critical months for the Premier League – it’s important to be near the top of the table before the Champions League starts again and you’re playing every few days”, he said. They take on Stoke, who reached the last four with a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Versatile defender Marc Muniesa is back in full training and Ryan Shawcross is free from the suspension, but both Peter Odemwingie and Shay Given are missing again with respective hamstring and knee injuries.
Despite the return to fitness of the likes of Joe Hart and David Silva, City’s injury problems are far from easing as they look to maintain their challenge for silverware on four fronts. Marc Muniesa is also doubtful, but he could play a part.
Advertisement
City will be without Sergio Aguero and Wilfried Bony for Saturday’s meeting with Stoke, and the coach feels Kelechi Iheanacho is ready to step into the first team, insisting there is no need to buy replacements in January.
