SM
Aston Villa vs. West Ham: 51 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Nigel Clough ready for 'daunting' clashes with Manchester City

:Headline: Nigel Clough ready for 'daunting' clashes with Manchester City: ID:344688: from db_amp
Tottenham tackle Chelsea in the other semi-final.

Burton boss Nigel Clough described his side's Carabao Cup semi-final clashes with Manchester City as "daunting" but is relishing the chance to pit his wits against the Premier League champions.

The League One Brewers were rewarded for beating Championship side Middlesbrough with a two-legged last-four meeting with Pep Guardiola's City when the draw was made on Wednesday evening.

Clough wants his side to remain focused on their promotion push, but told the club's official website: "They are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment.

"What they have done over the last year or so in England is quite frightening for a team in League One.

"The one thing Pep Guardiola might be pleased with is that he won't have to risk too many players.

"I don't think it makes too much difference being away in the first leg. I think whatever the score in the first leg people will want to watch Manchester City at the Pirelli Stadium.

"Financial considerations for us as this stage are the main thing but it's also something for everyone to look forward to.

"There are three out of the top four in the Premier League left in the competition and us – it's incredible.

"But what is important are the League One games before then. Saturday at Luton will be unbelievably tough given the efforts of Tuesday night.

"Then we have to get something out of Wycombe and Plymouth at home over Christmas. They are the two most important games of the period for us before we look forward to the Carabao Cup."

Tottenham will face Chelsea in the other semi-final after goals from Son Heung-min and Dele Alli earned Spurs a 2-0 win at Arsenal, while Eden Hazard's late goal was enough for the Blues to down Bournemouth.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino told Sky Sports: "It's another London derby.

"This will be our fourth London derby. We started the Carabao Cup against Watford, then we played against West Ham at the Olympic Stadium, tonight was Arsenal and now a semi-final against Chelsea.

"Chelsea is a great team and it's going to be very tough but we are excited."

Chelsea's assistant boss Gianfranco Zola said the draw "could have been better but it is fine."

The first leg of the ties will be played in the weeks commencing January 7 and 21.

amp_article__344688 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-12-20 09:21:36:
html db last update - 2018-12-20 09:21:36 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Nigel Clough

Click here for more stories about Burton Albion

Share this article now:
Read more about Nigel Clough Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Birmingham CityBirmingham23165241172453
2Wycombe WanderersWycombe25156450272351
3Wrexham25156437181951
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield24145537191847
5Barnsley2512673933642
6Reading2412573933641
7Stockport CountyStockport25108737271038
8Leyton Orient24114932221037
9Mansfield TownMansfield2311483126537
10Bolton WanderersBolton2311483534137
11Charlton AthleticCharlton239772721634
12Lincoln CityLincoln258892830-232
13Stevenage238781820-231
14Exeter CityExeter2494112831-331
15Blackpool247983235-330
16Rotherham UnitedRotherham237792123-228
17Wigan AthleticWigan2376102123-227
18Northampton TownNorthampton2568112439-1526
19Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2474134146-525
20Bristol Rovers2474132238-1625
21Crawley TownCrawley2355132443-1920
22Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury2445152444-2017
23Cambridge UnitedCambridge2445152243-2117
24Burton Albion2428142038-1814
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .