Liverpool are slated to welcome Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield for their third-round Carabao Cup encounter, while Manchester United will travel to Brighton in what could become one of up to six all-Premier League matchups in this stage of the competition. This will be Spurs' second visit to Anfield in the space of three seasons.
The last time they met in the cup was in the 2024/25 semi-final, where Liverpool triumphed with a 4-1 aggregate scoreline, ending Tottenham's hopes of progressing to the final. Further fixtures include Sunderland hosting newly promoted Hull City, and fellow newcomers to the top flight, Ipswich Town, taking on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The cup draw also pits the defending champions Manchester City against Championship side Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium. City have enjoyed a dominant record against the Canaries at home, remaining unbeaten in five meetings dating back to 2013. In the Midlands, Coventry City will clash with Aston Villa in a regional showdown, while West Ham United are set to host Fulham, guaranteeing at least one London derby in the third round.
Chelsea will be drawn against historic rivals Leeds United, and Newcastle United will embark on a lengthy journey to face Millwall after narrowly defeating fellow Championship side West Bromwich Albion in the previous round. Fans can stream the Carabao Cup without a long‑term contract by downloading the Sky Sports app or accessing the competition via Sky Sports on WhatsApp. Everton, who were eliminated by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the previous season's cup, will look for redemption when they host the Hill Dickinson Stadium side. Brentford will travel to League One outfit Reading, while Bournemouth will welcome Lincoln City at their home ground.
The third‑round ties are scheduled for the weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September, with the fourth round slated for the week of 26 October, the fifth round for the week of 14 December, and the semi‑final first leg set for the week of 11 January. The second leg of the semi‑finals will be played the week of 1 February, culminating in the final on Sunday, 21 March.
Sky Sports subscribers can watch the matches live on Sky Sports+, and all games will also be available through the Sky Sports app and website for streaming on various devices. The 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—will all enter the tournament at this third‑round stage. In addition to the on‑field action, fans have the opportunity to participate in the Super 6 game for a chance to win a £1 million prize pool, with entry available at no cost. This promotional element adds an extra layer of excitement for supporters following the progression of their favorite teams through the Carabao Cup.
Overall, the third round promises a blend of high‑profile Premier League clashes and intriguing matchups involving lower‑division sides, offering a platform for giant‑killing feats and the chance for clubs to secure a route into European competition via the cup. As the dates approach, clubs will begin to fine‑tune their squads, balancing league commitments with the desire to advance in the knockout tournament.
Supporters can look forward to a packed schedule of football drama, with the potential for memorable moments, upsets, and the occasional redemption story for teams that missed out in previous seasons.