Liverpool are set to welcome Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield for their third‑round Carabao Cup clash, a fixture that adds another high‑profile meeting to the early stages of England's premier knockout competition. The match will see the Reds host the Spurs, who are travelling to the Merseyside stadium for only the second time in the past three seasons. Their most recent encounter in the tournament came in the 2024/25 semi‑finals, where Liverpool dispatched Tottenham with a 4‑1 aggregate victory, underlining the Reds' recent dominance in cup ties.
In parallel, Manchester United have been drawn against Brighton & Hove Albion, creating a potential all‑Premier League showdown that could be one of up to six such fixtures in this round. The draw also pits Sunderland against newly promoted Hull City, while fellow newcomers Ipswich Town will travel to face Arsenal, providing a classic test for the promoted sides against established top‑flight opposition. Defending champions Manchester City will enjoy home advantage at the Etihad Stadium when they meet Championship side Norwich City. City have an unbeaten record against the Canaries at home, having avoided defeat in five consecutive meetings dating back to 2013, a statistic that adds a layer of confidence to their cup campaign.
The Midlands will host its own derby when Coventry City take on Aston Villa, promising a regional battle that could spark local bragging rights. London will also see a cross‑city tie as West Ham United host Fulham, ensuring at least one capital‑area clash in this round. Further fixtures include Chelsea's encounter with historic rivals Leeds United, while Newcastle United embark on a lengthy journey to Millwall after a narrow victory over fellow Championship side West Bromwich Albion.
Everton, who suffered a Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers last season, will look for redemption when they host Wolves at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Meanwhile, Brentford travel to League One outfit Reading, and Bournemouth welcome Lincoln City to their ground. All of these matches are scheduled for the weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September, with the third‑round fixtures spread across those two windows.
The competition will then progress to the fourth round in the week of 26 October, followed by the fifth round in the week of 14 December. The semi‑finals are set for the weeks of 11 January (first leg) and 1 February (second leg), culminating in the final on Sunday, 21 March.
For fans wishing to follow the action, Sky Sports offers live coverage on its Sky Sports+ channel, and all games are also accessible via the Sky Sports app and website, ensuring that supporters can watch from virtually anywhere. The tournament features nine Premier League clubs that are also competing in European competitions—Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Sunderland and Crystal Palace—all of which enter the competition at the third‑round stage.
Beyond the on‑field drama, the Carabao Cup continues to engage audiences with interactive elements such as the Super 6 game, which gives participants a chance to win a share of a £1 million prize pool at no cost. This promotional feature adds an extra layer of excitement for viewers, encouraging them to stay tuned throughout the tournament. Overall, the third round promises a blend of heavyweight clashes, regional derbies, and opportunities for lower‑league sides to test themselves against top‑flight opposition.
With Anfield hosting one of the marquee fixtures, Liverpool versus Tottenham, fans can anticipate a thrilling encounter that could set the tone for the rest of the competition. Whether you are a die‑hard supporter, a casual viewer, or someone looking to place a free bet on the Super 6, there is plenty to look forward to as the Carabao Cup moves deeper into its 2026‑27 season.