Oxford United have been handed a tough quarter-final tie in this year’s Carabao Cup with current holders Manchester City the visitors to the Kassam Stadium. It’s the first time since 1988 that Oxford have reached this stage of the competition and will have to perform extremely well to reach the next round.
Carabao Cup Holders Travel to Oxford United
Oxford United Face Difficult Task
Despite currently going ten games unbeaten in all competitions, the U’s will face a tough test when Manchester City come to town.
The two sides also met in the third round of this competition last season, again at the Kassam Stadium, with the eventual champions securing a 3-0 win in front of a sell-out crowd.
But, the U’s have already overcome Championship side Millwall in the second round, before knocking four without reply against Premier League outfit West Ham United.
The Kassam has never been a fortress, or even a home, for many Oxford supporters since their move from the Manor Ground in 2001. This season, though, their home form has been impeccable and the U’s would be looking to cause one of the major upsets in recent history.
Manchester City Look for Third Successive League Cup Win
Having won the competition for the past two years, the six-time champions will be looking to become the first team since Liverpool to win the competition for a third successive season.
Pep Guardiola’s side will be clear favourites to reach the semi-final and rightly so. They are currently on a 13-game unbeaten run in this competition.
The match is still six weeks away and anything could happen to these two sides in that time, what with other cups and league priorities, but it would be expected that the Premier League side would be looking to retain the trophy and win it for the seventh time.
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