Mansion Sports – An exciting matchup awaits in the fourth round of the 2025/2026 Carabao Cup as Swansea City prepare to host Premier League giants Manchester City at the Swansea.com Stadium. The fixture is scheduled for Wednesday, 29 October 2025, with kick-off set at 19:45 local time.

For Swansea, who currently compete in the Championship, this clash presents a major challenge against one of the most dominant forces in English football.

While the gap in quality between the two sides is evident, the Carabao Cup has a long history of producing surprises — and Swansea will be eager to create a memorable upset if they can hold off the relentless Manchester City.

Team Conditions Ahead of the Match

Swansea City

Swansea City have recently shown signs of recovery after a difficult run of results. Following nearly a month without victory, Alan Sheehan’s side returned to winning ways with a 2-1 home triumph over Norwich City last weekend.

Two goals from Zan Vipotnik secured a crucial three points, lifting the Swans to 13th place in the Championship standings.

Their performances in this season’s EFL Cup have been equally commendable. To reach the fourth round, Swansea overcame Crawley Town, Plymouth Argyle, and Nottingham Forest — an impressive run that highlights their determination and competitive spirit against higher-tier opponents.

Historically, Swansea hold fond memories of the competition, having lifted the League Cup in 2013 after a dominant 5-0 victory over Bradford City in the final. That triumph remains one of the proudest moments in the club’s history.

As they prepare to face Manchester City, Swansea will aim to recapture that same fighting spirit from their historic campaign.

However, recent statistics have not favored the Welsh side. They have lost their last seven encounters against Manchester City across all competitions.

The most recent meeting between the two teams in the EFL Cup dates back to September 2016, when Swansea suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat in the third round.

For this fixture, Ricardo Santos remains sidelined with a knee injury, but the rest of the squad is in good condition. Malick Yalcouye returns from suspension and is expected to strengthen the midfield.

Adam Idah will likely lead the line as the lone striker, while Benson Manuel Hedilazio and Ishe Samuels-Smith could provide pace and creativity on the wings.

Manchester City

Manchester City enter this contest seeking redemption after a disappointing 0-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Matty Cash’s lone goal was enough to halt Pep Guardiola’s side, leaving them fifth in the table with 16 points from nine matches — six points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.

Despite the setback, City’s performances in other competitions remain consistent. They have secured two wins from three Champions League fixtures and began their EFL Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town in the previous round.

Manchester City’s history in this tournament is illustrious. The Citizens have lifted the EFL Cup eight times, most recently in the 2020/2021 season, and are perennial contenders for the title.

From 37 previous meetings with Swansea, City have claimed 26 victories and have remained unbeaten against the Welsh club since March 2012.

For this match, Guardiola is expected to rotate his lineup. Erling Haaland remains a doubt due to a minor injury, while Rodri, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Rayan Ait-Nouri are also not fully fit. In their absence, several young and fringe players are likely to be given an opportunity to start.

James Trafford, Rico Lewis, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, and Nathan Ake are all expected to feature in the starting eleven as City look to maintain their dominance in domestic cup competitions.

Predicted Lineups for Swansea City vs Manchester City 2025

Swansea City (Formation 4-2-3-1)

Manchester City (Formation 4-1-4-1)

Match Overview

The Swansea City vs Manchester City clash in the fourth round of the 2025/2026 Carabao Cup represents a fascinating meeting between a determined underdog and a global football powerhouse.

Swansea will rely on the passionate support of their fans at the Swansea.com Stadium, while Manchester City aim to bounce back from recent setbacks and secure a place in the quarter-finals. 

Based on the predicted lineups, the contest promises to be competitive and intense. For City, it is a chance to reaffirm their strength and continue their winning tradition, while for Swansea, it is an opportunity to deliver an unforgettable performance that could be remembered as one of the standout moments in English football this season.