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 match‑ups in this stage of the competition. This will be Spurs' second visit to Anfield in the space of three seasons.
Their previous meeting in the 2024/25 campaign ended in a 4‑1 aggregate defeat for the London side, with Liverpool advancing to the semi‑finals after a convincing performance over two legs. In other fixtures, newly promoted Hull City will host Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, providing the Tigers with a chance to test the Hull squad that earned promotion last season.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town – another club making the leap to the top flight – will travel to face Arsenal, offering the Gunners a relatively straightforward tie against a side still adapting to Premier League demands. Defending champions Manchester City will enjoy home advantage at the Etihad Stadium when they take on Championship side Norwich City. City have a perfect record against the Canaries at home, having never lost in five meetings dating back to 2013, and will be eager to maintain that unbeaten streak while aiming to retain the cup. Midlands rivalry will be on display as Coventry City host Aston Villa in what promises to be a gritty, hard‑fought contest between two clubs with strong regional ties.
A London derby is also guaranteed, with West Ham United set to host Fulham at the London Stadium, ensuring at least one cross‑London clash in the round. Chelsea will be drawn against historic rivals Leeds United, reigniting a fixture that carries decades of competitive history. In the north, Newcastle United will embark on a lengthy journey to Millwall after their narrow victory over fellow Championship side West Bromwich Albion, adding a further layer of intrigue to the cup's early stages. Fans looking to stream the Carabao Cup without a long‑term contract can do so via the Sky Sports App, which also offers a dedicated WhatsApp service for match updates and highlights.
Everton, who were eliminated by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the previous season's tournament, will have a chance at redemption when they face Wolves at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, hoping to overturn last year's disappointment. Brentford will travel to Reading, a League One outfit, while Bournemouth will host Lincoln City, giving the Cherries a chance to assert dominance over lower‑league opposition. These fixtures, alongside the higher‑profile Premier League clashes, illustrate the breadth of competition that the Carabao Cup provides, offering clubs from various tiers the opportunity to test themselves against differing levels of opposition.
The third‑round matches are scheduled across two weeks, with games 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 semi‑final first leg in the week of 11 January, the second leg in the week of 1 February, and the final slated for Sunday 21 March.
Sky Sports subscribers can watch all matches live on Sky Sports+, while the games will also be accessible via the Sky Sports website and mobile app, ensuring fans have multiple platforms to follow the action. All nine Premier League clubs that are currently competing in European competitions – Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Sunderland and Crystal Palace – will enter the tournament at this third‑round stage, joining the lower‑division teams that have progressed from earlier rounds. In addition to the on‑field drama, Sky Sports is promoting its "Super 6" competition, offering participants the chance to win a £1 million prize pool. Entry to the Super 6 is free, providing an extra incentive for fans to stay engaged throughout the cup run.
Overall, the Caraboo Cup third round promises a mix of heavyweight Premier League clashes, regional derbies, and opportunities for lower‑league clubs to cause upsets. With a packed schedule and a variety of broadcasting options, supporters have ample ways to catch the excitement as the tournament progresses toward its March finale.