Manchester City
vs
Fulham
Match Schedule:
Date: September 23th
Time: 19:00 (GMT)
Carling Cup third round
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium Date: Wednesday, 23 September 2009 Kick-off: 2000 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio & highlights on The League Cup Show
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has no fresh injury worries, although he may rest Carlos Tevez which means Martin Petrov may start his first game.
Roque Santa Cruz (knee) will not have a place on the bench despite reports that he could be available.
Fulham's Roy Hodgson may play some of the second-string side which drew with CSKA Sofia in the Europa League.
Simon Davies, Jonathan Greening and Diomansky Kamara could start after coming on as subs against Wolves.
The fall-out from the dramatic Manchester derby may have barely had time to settle, but Manchester City are straight back into cup action against Premier League opposition.
Mark Hughes knows that time waits for no man, or team in fact, so they will be keen to get back into the winning groove after United brought their five match unbeaten run to a halt. Fulham's season is yet to catch fire, with just two wins from their opening five league games, although their Europa League progress has been solid.
With no replays in this competition, all eyes will be on the clocks at Eastlands, with even more extra-time a possibility. History is no real help in finding a winner either - Fulham claimed victory 42 years ago in their only meeting in this competition, at the fourth round stage.
However, it isn't long since Fulham last reached the fourth round stage - the Cottagers made the quarter-finals in 2004/05. City have progressed to two fourth round appearances in the past six years.
Head-to-head
• These clubs have met 52 times in all competitions; Manchester City have won 22, Fulham 17 and 13 have been drawn.
• Fulham have won two and drawn two of their last four Premier League meetings with City, who last beat the Londoners in April 2007. That season, City did the double over the Cottagers with two 3-1 wins.
• The sides have met just once in the League Cup in 1967 when Fulham won 3-2 in the fourth round.
Manchester City
• City lifted the trophy in 1970 and 1976 and are hoping to reach the fourth round for only the second time in six years.
• In the 2007/08 season, City beat Bolton in the fourth round - the most recent Premier League club they have beaten in the competition.
Fulham
• Fulham have not reached the fourth round since getting to the quarter-finals in 2004/05. That year they beat Birmingham, the last time they knocked out a fellow Premier League club.
• The Cottagers have never been beyond the last eight.
• The Londoners are looking for their first away win since their first competitive match of the season against Vetra Vilnius in the Europa League.
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