Liverpool will host Tottenham in the third round of the Carabao Cup, while Manchester United face Premier League opponents Brighton in a draw featuring as many as six all-top-flight fixtures. The matches are scheduled to be played across the weeks commencing September 7 and September 14.
Carabao Cup Third-Round Draw Highlights All-Premier League Clashes
The path toward the final at Wembley Stadium took shape as the remaining Premier League sides joined the competition in the third round. Among the standout fixtures, Liverpool will take on Tottenham in a high-profile tie. Spurs travel to Anfield for the second time in three seasons, having lost 4-1 on aggregate to the Reds in the semi-finals of the tournament during the 2024/25 campaign.
Holders Manchester City host Norwich at the Etihad Stadium. City enter the fixture holding a strong home record against the Canaries, having not lost in five home meetings dating back to 2013. Meanwhile, Manchester United face Premier League opposition in Brighton, and Fleetwood, the only fourth-tier side left in the competition, host Sheffield United. Sunderland host promoted Hull, while fellow Premier League new boys Ipswich face Arsenal. Coventry will go head-to-head with Aston Villa in an all-Midlands clash, and there is guaranteed to be at least one cross-London tie with West Ham hosting either Fulham or AFC Wimbledon. Chelsea will face old rivals Leeds if they beat Luton on Thursday night, and Newcastle face a long trip to Millwall after narrowly beating fellow Championship side West Brom. Everton, knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Wolves last season, will get a chance at revenge at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, while Brentford visit League One side Reading and Bournemouth host Lincoln.
Full Fixture Schedule for the Third Round
The round features nine Premier League clubs that play in Europe—Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Sunderland—making their entrance in the third round of the Carabao Cup. To avoid scheduling conflicts with the opening weeks of the Champions League and Europa League, fixtures will be played across the weeks commencing Monday, 7 and Monday, 14 September.
| Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough | Third round tie |
| Man Utd vs Brighton | All-Premier League tie |
| Man City vs Norwich | Holders host Championship side |
| Sunderland vs Hull | Premier League vs promoted side |
| Ipswich vs Arsenal | Premier League new boys face Arsenal |
| Coventry vs Aston Villa | All-Midlands clash |
| Bournemouth vs Lincoln | Premier League side hosts Lincoln |
| Liverpool vs Tottenham | Standout Anfield fixture |
| Chelsea or Luton vs Leeds | Subject to Thursday playoff |
| Millwall vs Newcastle | Long trip for Newcastle |
| Fleetwood vs Sheffield United | Sole fourth-tier side involved |
| Everton vs Wolves | Chance at revenge after last season |
| Leyton Orient vs Bradford | League fixture pairing |
| Reading vs Brentford | League One opposition visit |
| Peterborough vs Barnsley | EFL pairing |
| West Ham vs Fulham or AFC Wimbledon | Cross-London tie guaranteed |
Tournament Calendar and Pending Matches
The exact lineup for every match depended on the final two matches scheduled. Chelsea hosted Luton at 19:30 BST while Fulham took on AFC Wimbledon at 20:00 BST to determine the remaining participants.
- Round three: w/c September 7 and w/c September 14
- Round four: w/c October 26
- Round five: w/c December 14
- Semi-final first leg: w/c January 11
- Semi-final second leg: w/c February 1
- Final: Sunday March 21
Sky Sports customers can watch matches on Sky Sports+, with live coverage also available on the Sky Sports app and website as clubs battle to advance toward the latter stages of the domestic cup competition.
