There’s a special vibe in Manchester tonight — the English League Cup as “Manchester City” host “Newcastle” at home. Ahead of this clash, which kicks off at 01:00 , Sports Mole and outlets closely covering the club have released predicted lineups. And the best news — Abduqodir Husanov is expected to start .
Guardiola trusts Husanov again
The Uzbek defender, who started the last two matches, has kept the manager’s trust this time as well. This is no coincidence. With injuries at the back, rotation and a packed schedule, Pep Guardiola sees Husanov as a steady and reliable option . And in today’s cup tie he will again be tasked with holding the team’s structure in the middle.
Predicted lineup (per Sports Mole and club outlets):
“Manchester City”
- Trafford — Nunes, Husanov, Alleyn, O’Reilly;
- Rodri, Gonzalez;
- Cherki, Semeno, Doku;
- Haaland.
In this setup, Husanov is again positioned at centre-back alongside Alleyn. This pairing has already become Guardiola’s most trusted “shield” in the current situation.
Why is this match important?
“Newcastle” are not an easy opponent. They play with pressure and force mistakes with quick attacks. Against a team like that, defensive stability becomes the decisive factor. That’s where Husanov’s pace, physical strength and smart positioning will be crucial.
Haaland will be hunting for goals up front, Doku and Semeno on the wings, Cherki ready to spark something through the middle, and Rodri linking the play. But if the back line isn’t solid, it all turns into danger. That’s why tonight every clearance and every won duel by Abduqodir is worth its weight in gold.
In short, it’s another test, another opportunity. For Husanov, it’s not just a game — it’s another chance to say, “I didn’t come here for nothing.” The Uzbek defender’s name could ring out even louder over Manchester.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
