Aug 27, 2026

Liverpool Host Tottenham as Arsenal, Man Utd and City Learn Carabao Cup Fate

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in sport

👁️ loading views...

London, 26 August 2026 — The Carabao Cup third-round draw has thrown up a series of compelling ties after the nine Premier League clubs involved in European competition finally entered the tournament.

Liverpool will host Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the standout fixture of the round, while Manchester United face Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal travel to newly promoted Ipswich Town.

Holders Manchester City will welcome Championship side Norwich City to the Etihad.

A pre-draw earlier in the evening separated the European-bound sides to avoid clashes with the opening rounds of the Champions League and Europa League.

Six of those clubs were given home ties, with Arsenal and Aston Villa among those heading on the road.

The full draw was completed once the bulk of the second-round ties had finished. Matches will be played across the weeks beginning 7 and 14 September.

Full List of Third-Round Ties

- Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough

- Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion

- Manchester City vs Norwich City

- Sunderland vs Hull City

- Ipswich Town vs Arsenal

- Coventry City vs Aston Villa

- Bournemouth vs Lincoln City

- Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur

- Chelsea or Luton Town vs Leeds United

- Millwall vs Newcastle United

- Fleetwood Town vs Sheffield United

- Everton vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

- Leyton Orient vs Bradford City

- Reading vs Brentford

- Peterborough United vs Barnsley

- West Ham United vs Fulham or AFC Wimbledon

The final two places will be confirmed on Thursday when Chelsea host Luton Town and Fulham face AFC Wimbledon.

Liverpool versus Tottenham is the clear headline act. The Reds have a strong recent record against Spurs at Anfield in this competition.

Manchester United’s home clash with Brighton carries extra edge after last season’s FA Cup exit at Old Trafford against the same opponents.

Arsenal face an awkward trip to Ipswich, while Aston Villa head to Coventry for a Midlands derby. Sunderland versus Hull and Everton against Wolves add further all-Premier League flavour.

League Two’s Fleetwood Town remain the lowest-ranked side left and will host Sheffield United.

The nine clubs that sat out the earlier rounds—Premier League champions Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Sunderland—now join the 23 second-round winners.

The scheduling is deliberately spread over two weeks to protect the European campaign.

For many managers the competition offers a chance to rotate squads while still chasing silverware. For others it is an early test of depth and focus after a demanding start to the Premier League season.

The third round has a habit of producing shocks and memorable nights. With several all-Premier League meetings and a sprinkling of lower-league ambitions still alive, September’s ties promise drama from Anfield to the Etihad and beyond.