Carabao Cup Round Four: Exciting clashes await

The Carabao Cup returns with thrilling fourth-round fixtures, promising high-stakes action as clubs across England vie for a spot in the quarterfinals. With dramatic storylines and historic rivalries brewing, fans are set for a footballing feast.

All the action kicks off at 9:45 pm CAT, broadcast live on SuperSport.

Newcastle United v Chelsea

Newcastle United and Chelsea clash in what promises to be a tightly contested match at St James’ Park. Newcastle have a tough record against Chelsea in this competition, being knocked out in five of their six previous League Cup meetings. Most recently, last season’s encounter ended in heartbreak for Newcastle as Chelsea triumphed on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

The Magpies have, however, been in fine form at home, with Chelsea losing on their last two visits in Premier League action. History favors Chelsea slightly, yet Newcastle are looking to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the third consecutive season, a feat they've never achieved before. They’ve also won their last five round-four games, giving fans hope for another victory on their turf.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will aim to continue their positive League Cup run by reaching the quarter-finals for back-to-back seasons, something they last achieved in 2018-19. With key forward Christopher Nkunku having already showcased his attacking prowess in this competition, Chelsea will rely on his form to unlock Newcastle’s defense in what is shaping up to be an intense, high-stakes encounter.

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

Aston Villa host Crystal Palace in a game that could see the Villans extend their impressive run against the Eagles in the League Cup. Villa have historically dominated this fixture, progressing from three of their four previous meetings with Palace in the competition. The last encounter, back in 2003-04, saw Villa breeze through with a commanding 3-0 victory at Villa Park, where they’ll be hoping to replicate the result.

However, Palace will be out to break their poor away form at Villa Park, having not won there in their last seven attempts across all competitions. Their recent fourth-round record doesn’t inspire confidence either, with Palace exiting at this stage in their last three attempts. The Eagles last reached the quarter-finals in the 2011-12 season, when they were still in the Championship.

Aston Villa, despite their dominance in recent League Cup fixtures, have struggled against Premier League opposition in recent years, with their last three exits all coming from top-flight clubs. With star player Morgan Rogers in fine form—having scored in his last five League Cup outings—Villa fans will be hoping he can lead them to yet another victory on home soil.

Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday

Brentford face off against Sheffield Wednesday with the confidence of having won their last three encounters across all competitions. This League Cup meeting presents the Bees a chance to claim a fourth straight win over the Owls, something they have never previously achieved. Already in strong form this season, Brentford have comfortably dispatched League Two and League One sides to reach this stage.

For Sheffield Wednesday, history favors them in the League Cup, having progressed from both previous ties against Brentford in 1985-86 and 1990-91. The Owls have also been impressive in their fourth-round performances, advancing from their last three games at this stage, including a memorable 3-0 victory over Arsenal in 2015-16.

Brentford’s Fábio Carvalho, with five goals in his last six domestic cup appearances, will be key to the Bees’ attacking hopes. A victory would see Brentford continue their remarkable streak against lower-league teams in the League Cup as a Premier League club, while Sheffield Wednesday aim to revive their winning ways in the competition.

Brighton v Liverpool

Kickoff at 9:30pm CAT

Brighton and Liverpool meet in a mouthwatering fixture at the Amex Stadium, where Brighton will look to continue their strong form at home against the Reds. The Seagulls have won two of their last three home games against Liverpool in all competitions, a significant achievement considering their historical struggles in this matchup.

In League Cup history, Liverpool have the edge over Brighton, winning both of their previous encounters in the competition. However, the Reds’ recent League Cup performances suggest a potential upset, as they aim to avoid becoming the fourth consecutive holders to exit at this stage. Liverpool are aware that Brighton have won their last three League Cup home games and are chasing a fourth consecutive home victory in this competition for the first time.

With Cody Gakpo in excellent form—scoring six goals in his last League Cup appearances—the Dutchman will be Liverpool’s primary threat. Brighton, aiming to reach the quarterfinals for only the second time since 1978-79, will be eager to put on a show for their home fans in what could be a defining fixture in their cup campaign.

Manchester United v Leicester City

This will be the fourth League Cup meeting between Manchester United (2 wins) and Leicester (1 win), and the first since the 2002-03 third round, the Red Devils winning 2-0 with goals from David Beckham and Kieran Richardson.

Leicester have lost 11 of their last 14 away games at Manchester United in all competitions (W1 D2), most recently a 3-0 Premier League defeat in February 2023.

Excluding replays, two-legged ties, semi-finals and finals, this is Manchester United’s eighth consecutive League Cup draw to come at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have won six of their last seven home games in the competition (L1).

Since the start of 2017-18, Leicester have reached five League Cup quarter-finals, the joint-most of any side, alongside Manchester City.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford has scored 10 goals in his last nine League Cup starts, scoring in each of his last five starts in the competition. Rashford also has five goals in his last six starts against Leicester City in all competitions.

Preston North End v Arsenal

This is the first time Preston North End and Arsenal have faced each other since the third round of the FA Cup in January 2017 at Deepdale – despite scoring first, Preston went on to lose 2-1.

Arsenal have faced Preston in the League Cup just once previously, winning 2-1 at Highbury in October 1999 with goals from Nwankwo Kanu and Stefan Malz.

Preston North End are looking to reach the League Cup quarter-finals for the first time, going out in the fourth round on seven previous occasions. They have played the most games in the competition without ever featuring in the quarter-final stage (184).

Since losing 3-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in October 2015, Arsenal have won all 11 of their League Cup matches against sides from outside the Premier League by an aggregate score of 38-5. Their two away games in this run have been won 4-0 (vs Nottingham Forest in 2016) and 6-0 (vs West Brom in 2021).

Raheem Sterling both scored and assisted in his first League Cup appearance for Arsenal in their 5-1 win over Bolton in the third round. Since his first start in the competition in August 2013, only Marcus Rashford (24) has been involved in more goals in the competition than Sterling (12 goals, 10 assists), with that including a goal and assist against Preston at Deepdale in September 2019 for Man City.

Southampton v Stoke City

Southampton have lost three of their last five matches against Stoke, all in the league (W1 D1), with all three defeats coming by a one-goal margin (0-1 and 1-2 in 2017, 0-1 in 2024).

The only previous League Cup meeting between Southampton and Stoke came in the fourth round in 2014-15, a 3-2 victory for the Saints thanks to a brace from Graziano Pelle, including an 89th-minute winner from the Italian.

Southampton have won 11 of their last 14 home League Cup matches against sides from a lower division than them (D1 L2), with their two defeats in this run coming against teams who would win promotion from the Championship that season (Wolves in 2017-18 and Brentford in 2020-21).

Stoke City have won five of their last seven away League Cup matches (D1 L1), winning the last two by an aggregate score of 7-0. The Potters have won five of their last six away games in the competition against Premier League teams.

Stoke are looking to reach the League Cup quarter-final while playing outside the top-flight for only the third time, also doing so in 1978-79 and 2020-21.

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City

This is the first League Cup meeting between Spurs and Manchester City since the 2021 final, won 1-0 by Man City at Wembley. Tottenham have won the other three games between the sides in the EFL Cup, however, in 1992 (1-0), 2003 (3-1) and 2007 (2-0).

After failing to score in each of their first five away games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium between 2019 and 2023, Man City have won their last two there without conceding. City last won three away games in a row against Spurs in August 1974.

Tottenham Hotspur have been eliminated in their last three League Cup ties against fellow Premier League sides, going out to Chelsea in 2021-22, Nottingham Forest in 2022-23 and Fulham in 2023-24.

Manchester City have failed to score in their last three away League Cup games (D1 L2), losing each of their last two. They haven’t lost three away games in a row in the competition since August 1997.

Man City’s Pep Guardiola has won 72% of his games in the League Cup (23 wins in 32 games). In League Cup history, among managers with more than 25 games in the competition, only José Mourinho (73%, won 27/37) has a better win percentage.

TUESDAY FIXTURES

- Southampton 3-2 Stoke City
- Brentford 1-1 (5-4 pen) Sheffield Wednesday

These matchups add to an already thrilling Carabao Cup season, with each clash holding the promise of drama, passion, and high-stakes football.