Image Source: Manchester City FC
Man city vs brighton is set for a high-profile Carabao Cup fourth-round battle at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Both clubs have confirmed their starting lineups, with Manchester City making sweeping changes and Brighton & Hove Albion also rotating their team for the first of two meetings in four days.
The sides will meet again in the Premier League on Saturday, making this cup tie an important early test of squad depth. Manchester City are looking to respond after last week’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, while Brighton arrive hoping to keep their cup campaign alive against the holders.
Man City vs Brighton Lineups Confirmed for Carabao Cup Clash
Enzo Maresca has made a number of notable selection calls for Manchester City. Geronimo Rulli starts in goal, replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Marc Guehi wears the captain’s armband in a reshaped defensive unit.
Several senior players have been left out of the matchday lineup after being given additional time off. Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Elliot Anderson and Gianluigi Donnarumma were all granted three days away from the squad following the demanding trip to Villa Park.
Despite the rotation, City’s team still features plenty of quality. Phil Foden starts in midfield, while Rayan Cherki is included in the attacking group. Mateo Kovacic provides experience in the center of the pitch, and the young players around him will be expected to handle Brighton’s energetic approach.
Manchester City Starting XI
- Geronimo Rulli
- Rico Lewis
- Abdukodir Khusanov
- Marc Guehi
- Nico O’Reilly
- Hicham Bouaddi
- Mateo Kovacic
- Phil Foden
- Rayan Cherki
- Amadou Samba
- Allan
The lineup reflects Maresca’s desire to protect key players while still treating the competition seriously. City have enjoyed a strong recent record in the Carabao Cup, and the manager will be determined to avoid an early exit despite the changes.
Brighton Make Key Selection Calls
Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton lineup also contains several interesting choices. Jason Steele starts in goal, with Costinha, Svoboda, Andrew Boscagli and Abderrahim Hadjam forming the defensive line.
Jack Hinshelwood, Yasin Ayari and Pascal Groß are selected in midfield, while Carlos Gomez, Georginio Rutter and Carlos Baleba lead the attacking setup. Brighton will need composure in possession and discipline without the ball if they are to unsettle a heavily rotated City side.
Brighton & Hove Albion Starting XI
- Jason Steele
- Costinha
- Svoboda
- Andrew Boscagli
- Abderrahim Hadjam
- Jack Hinshelwood
- Yasin Ayari
- Pascal Groß
- Carlos Gomez
- Georginio Rutter
- Carlos Baleba
Brighton’s squad has been affected by injuries in recent weeks. Ferdi Kadioglu and Chema Andres both left the field against Liverpool, while Kaoru Mitoma, Pascal Struijk, Femi Azeez, Evan Ferguson, Zadok Yohanna and Stefanos Tzimas are also unavailable.
Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer had been considered possible options before kickoff, but Minteh is not included in the confirmed starting lineup. He has missed every competitive match this season after suffering an injury during a preseason friendly against AS Roma.
Two Crucial Matches at the Etihad
The Carabao Cup meeting carries extra significance because the clubs will face each other again in the league just four days later. That unusual schedule could encourage both managers to manage minutes carefully, but neither side will want to surrender momentum.
Manchester City remain at the top of the Premier League, level on points with Arsenal, despite suffering two defeats in their last four matches. Before the Aston Villa loss, City recorded victories over Ipswich Town and AEK Athens, but their recent inconsistency has increased the pressure on Maresca’s squad.
Brighton, meanwhile, will see the cup as an opportunity to produce a statement result. Defeating Manchester United 3-2 in the previous round demonstrated their ability to compete in difficult fixtures. A victory at the Etihad would provide a major boost before Saturday’s league encounter.
As per City Xtra, the confirmed teams underline the contrasting priorities of the two managers. City are balancing a busy schedule and protecting leading stars, while Brighton are trying to navigate an injury crisis without losing their attacking identity.
The result could come down to how quickly the rotated players settle into the contest. Foden and Cherki offer City creativity, while Groß and Rutter give Brighton technical quality in advanced areas. With both teams chasing progress, the fourth-round tie promises intensity from the opening whistle.
FAQs About Man City vs Brighton
When is the Man City vs Brighton Carabao Cup match?
The fourth-round match takes place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the Etihad Stadium.
Who starts in goal for Manchester City?
Geronimo Rulli starts in goal for Manchester City, with Gianluigi Donnarumma rested for the cup fixture.
Is Erling Haaland playing against Brighton?
No. Erling Haaland has been given additional time off and is not included in Manchester City’s confirmed starting lineup.
Who captains Manchester City?
Marc Guehi captains Manchester City in the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie.
Will Manchester City and Brighton meet again soon?
Yes. The teams are scheduled to meet again in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
