Liverpool are slated to welcome Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield for their third‑round encounter in the Carabao Cup, while Manchester United will travel to Brighton in what could become one of up to six all‑Premier League fixtures in this stage of the competition. This will be Spurs' second visit to Anfield in just three seasons.
Their most recent meeting in the tournament came in the 2024/25 semi‑finals, where Liverpool emerged victorious with a 4‑1 aggregate win, ending Tottenham's hopes of progressing further that year. In other matches, Sunderland will host newly promoted Hull City, providing the Tigers with a chance to test themselves against a side fresh from the Championship. Meanwhile, another newly‑promoted Premier League side, Ipswich Town, will travel to face Arsenal, offering the Gunners a relatively straightforward fixture against a team still finding its footing at the top level.
Defending champions Manchester City will enjoy home advantage at the Etihad Stadium when they take on Norwich City, a Championship club that has not managed to secure a win at City’s ground in five attempts dating back to 2013. The record highlights City’s dominance in recent home fixtures against lower‑division opposition. Midlands rivalry will be on display as Coventry City meets Aston Villa in a clash that pits two clubs from the same region against each other. Additionally, a London derby is guaranteed when West Ham United host Fulham, ensuring at least one cross‑London tie in the round.
Chelsea will be drawn against historic rivals Leeds United, rekindling a long‑standing rivalry that has produced many memorable matches over the decades. In another fixture, Newcastle United will embark on a lengthy journey to Millwall after securing a narrow victory over fellow Championship side West Bromwich Albion in their previous round. For fans looking to stream the Carabao Cup without committing to a long‑term contract, Sky Sports offers flexible viewing options. The Sky Sports app can be downloaded for easy access, and updates are also available via Sky Sports on WhatsApp, ensuring supporters can stay informed wherever they are.
Everton, who were eliminated from the competition by Wolverhampton Wanderers last season, will have a chance for redemption when they travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Brentford will travel to face League One side Reading, while Bournemouth will host Lincoln City, adding lower‑league intrigue to the mix. The third‑round fixtures are scheduled across two weeks, with matches taking place during the weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September. Subsequent rounds will follow a set calendar: the fourth round in the week of 26 October, the fifth round in the week of 14 December, the first leg of the semi‑finals in the week of 11 January, the second leg in the week of 1 February, and the final set for Sunday, 21 March.
Sky Sports subscribers can watch all matches via Sky Sports+, and the games will also be available through the Sky Sports app and the network’s website, providing multiple platforms for viewing. The nine Premier League clubs currently competing in Europe—Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Sunderland and Crystal Palace—will all enter the competition at the third‑round stage, joining the lower‑division sides that have progressed from the earlier rounds.
Fans also have the opportunity to participate in the Super 6 competition, a free‑entry contest that offers a chance to win a share of a £1 million prize pool, adding an extra layer of excitement to the cup run. Overall, the third round of the Carabao Cup promises a blend of high‑profile clashes, regional derbies, and opportunities for lower‑league clubs to test themselves against top‑flight opposition.
With matches spread over two weeks, supporters will have plenty of football to enjoy as the tournament moves forward toward its climax in March.