Liverpool will welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield for their third‑round Carabao Cup clash, a fixture that adds another high‑profile meeting to the early stages of the competition. The North‑West club’s draw also sees Manchester United travelling to Brighton, creating a potential all‑Premier League showdown among six top‑flight sides in this round. This will be Spurs' second visit to Anfield in just three seasons.
The last time they met in the tournament, Tottenham were beaten 4-1 on aggregate by Liverpool in the semi‑finals of the 2024/25 edition, a result that still lingers in the minds of both sets of supporters. The upcoming tie therefore offers the London side a chance to rewrite that narrative and prove they can overcome the Reds on their own turf. In other match‑ups, Sunderland will host newly promoted Hull City, while Ipswich Town – another club fresh from promotion – will travel to face Arsenal. The inclusion of these fixtures highlights the blend of Premier League heavyweights and ambitious lower‑division teams that characterises the Carabao Cup, where giant‑killing acts are always possible.
Defending champions Manchester City will enjoy a home tie against Championship side Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium. City have a perfect record against the Canaries at home, having not suffered a defeat in five meetings dating back to 2013, so they will be keen to maintain that unbeaten streak while also using the game to rotate their squad ahead of a congested schedule. Midlands fans can look forward to an all‑regional clash as Coventry City take on Aston Villa, providing a local derby atmosphere despite the difference in league status. Meanwhile, West Ham United will host Fulham, guaranteeing at least one cross‑London encounter in this round, a fixture that often produces a fierce rivalry due to the proximity of the clubs.
Chelsea will be drawn against historic rivals Leeds United, rekindling a rivalry that stretches back decades, while Newcastle United will embark on a lengthy journey to face Millwall after narrowly dispatching fellow Championship side West Bromwich Albion in the previous round. These ties illustrate the geographical spread of the competition, with teams travelling across the country for knockout action.
Fans can stream the Carabao Cup matches without a long‑term contract by downloading the Sky Sports app or accessing the service via WhatsApp, ensuring that supporters have multiple ways to catch the live action. Sky Sports customers also have the option to watch the games on Sky Sports+, with additional coverage available through the Sky Sports website and mobile platforms. Everton, who were eliminated by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the previous season's Carabao Cup, will seek redemption at the Hill Dickinson Stadium when they host their next opponent.
Brentford will travel to League One side Reading, and Bournemouth will welcome Lincoln City, adding further lower‑league representation to the third‑round roster. The schedule for the third round is split across two weeks, with fixtures taking place during the weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September. Subsequent rounds are set for the weeks beginning 26 October (fourth round), 14 December (fifth round), 11 January (semi‑final first leg), and 1 February (semi‑final second leg), culminating in the final on Sunday, 21 March. All nine Premier League clubs currently competing in European competitions – Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Sunderland and Crystal Palace – will enter the tournament at this stage, joining the mix of Championship and lower‑division teams.
Beyond the football, Sky Sports is promoting its Super 6 competition, offering fans a chance to win a £1 million prize pool. Entry is free, providing an additional incentive for viewers to engage with the Carabao Cup broadcasts.
Overall, the third‑round draw promises an exciting blend of marquee match‑ups, regional derbies, and opportunities for underdogs to cause upsets. As clubs balance squad rotation with the desire to progress, supporters can expect competitive fixtures across the country, all leading toward the ultimate prize in England's premier knockout cup for clubs outside the FA Cup.