Liverpool are slated to welcome Tottenham Hotspur to 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 at this stage of the competition. This will be Spurs' second visit to the Liverpool ground in the space of three seasons.
The last time they met in the cup, Tottenham were knocked out by the Reds with a 4‑1 aggregate defeat in the semi‑finals of the 2024/25 edition. In other fixtures, newly promoted Hull City will travel to Sunderland, and Ipswich Town – another side that has just joined the top flight – will face Arsenal on their home turf. The defending champions, Manchester City, will host Championship side Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium.
City have a perfect record against the Canaries at home, having never lost in five meetings dating back to 2013. Midlands rivalry will be on display as Coventry City take on Aston Villa in a clash that pits two clubs from the same region against each other. London will also be represented with a cross‑city tie when West Ham United host Fulham at the London Stadium.
Chelsea will be drawn against long‑time rivals Leeds United, rekindling a historic rivalry in a cup setting, while Newcastle United will embark on a lengthy journey to face Millwall after securing a narrow victory over fellow Championship side West Bromwich Albion in the previous round. For fans who prefer streaming, the Carabao Cup matches can be accessed without a long‑term contract via the Sky Sports app, and updates are also available through Sky Sports on WhatsApp.
Everton, who were eliminated by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the previous season's cup, will have a chance to seek redemption when they host Wolves at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Meanwhile, Brentford will travel to League One side Reading, and Bournemouth will welcome Lincoln City to their ground. The third‑round fixtures are scheduled across two weeks, with matches taking place during the weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September.
Subsequent rounds follow a similar calendar: the fourth round is set for the week of 26 October, the fifth round for the week of 14 December, the semi‑final first leg for the week of 11 January, the second leg for the week of 1 February, and the final is slated for Sunday, 21 March. Sky Sports subscribers can watch all of the games live on Sky Sports+, and the matches are also streamed via the Sky Sports website and mobile app, ensuring that viewers have multiple platforms to follow the action. All nine Premier League clubs that are also 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, adding a high‑profile dimension to the draw. In addition to the football action, fans can take part in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win a £1 million prize pool, with entry available free of charge.
Overall, the Carabao Cup third round promises a blend of classic rivalries, fresh match‑ups, and the opportunity for lower‑league clubs to test themselves against top‑flight opposition. From the historic Anfield showdown between Liverpool and Tottenham to the Midlands duel between Coventry and Aston Villa, the upcoming fixtures offer plenty of drama and intrigue.
Supporters can look forward to a packed schedule, with each match offering its own storyline – whether it be a chance for redemption, a bid for a cup upset, or simply a stepping stone toward a coveted trophy. The competition’s structure, with its clear timeline from September through March, ensures that clubs have ample time to balance league commitments while pursuing cup glory. As the draw unfolds, the narrative of the Carabao Cup continues to evolve, providing a platform for both established stars and emerging talents to shine on a national stage.