City v Port Vale: Kick off, team news & TV info | OneFootball

When and Where

We kick off our defence of the famous old trophy at 5:31pm under the Etihad lights on Saturday 4 January.

The game is not being broadcast live in the UK but rest assured that you can follow every kick thanks to our Matchday Centre here on mancity.com or via our Twitter: @ManCity.

And you can also watch the match in full within 24 hours of the final whistle thanks to Man City for TV.

To find out how you can tune in, wherever you are in the world, click here.

Team News

Long-term absentees Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane are missing for City.

However, Pep Guardiola did reveal that Aymeric Laporte trained for 15 minutes on Friday afternoon, and is nearing a return to full training in the next few weeks.

Ederson was back in training after a sickness bug ruled him out of our New Year's Day win over Everton, but Nicolas Otamendi is not available yet.

Pep Guardiola’s Preview

"There are no easy games. We play at home, that is an advantage, especially in this (busy) schedule.

"We won two Carabao Cups and an FA Cup. we try to play the game seriously and give it importance no matter what competition we play in.

"(Port Vale) will be more than welcome. It’s nice. That’s why this country is the best. All the competitions and all the leagues, they support their own clubs.

"This afternoon I will see more games of them. Then we will decide how we play."

Last time out

City kicked off 2020 with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Everton thanks to a second half brace from Gabriel Jesus.

WATCH: City 2-1 Everton: Extended highlights

Last meeting

After playing each other a handful of times during the 1990s, it is now over twenty years since we last faced the Valiants in a competitive game.

A late Danny Granville strike sealed a 2-1 comeback win at Vale Park in our last match back in October 1999.

The hosts had taken a first-half lead through Martin Foyle, before a Mark Snijders own goal and Granville’s winner turned the game on its head in the space of five minutes.

And it turned out to be a vital three points as we secured back to back promotions and brought Premier League football back to Maine Road the following season.