The 2026-27 Carabao Cup third-round draw arrived, and man, did it deliver a bombshell right out of the gate: Liverpool is set to clash with Tottenham! This isn’t just another game, it’s a massive Premier League showdown happening way earlier than anyone expected in this knockout competition. We’re talking about two heavyweights going at it in early September, and that’s going to be absolutely wild.
Premier League Giants Enter the Fray, One Already Out!
This third round is where things really heat up because all the remaining Premier League sides jump into the mix. We’re talking about big names like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United all getting involved. Most of the top-flight clubs have made it through, which isn’t shocking, but there’s always a surprise. The only Premier League team to get knocked out before this stage was Nottingham Forest, who got bounced by fellow Premier League side Leeds. Oof, talk about an early exit!
Now, onto the matchups we’ve all been waiting for. Beyond that incredible Liverpool vs. Tottenham showdown, we’ve got some other must-watch games. Manchester United is squaring off against Brighton, while Manchester City is taking on Norwich City. Arsenal drew Ipswich Town, which could be tricky! Other Premier League teams facing lower league opposition include Crystal Palace against Middlesbrough, Sunderland battling Hull City, Aston Villa taking on Coventry City, and Bournemouth challenging Lincoln City. There are also a couple of matchups with teams still to be decided, like Chelsea or Luton Town facing Leeds United, and West Ham going against Fulham or AFC Wimbledon. Then there’s Millwall vs. Newcastle, Fleetwood Town vs. Sheffield United, Everton vs. Wolves, Leyton Orient vs. Bradford City, Reading vs. Brentford, and Peterborough United vs. Barnsley. Seriously, what a lineup!
How the Draw Went Down and What It Means
The official draw was carried out on Wednesday, August 26, right after the final second-round match between Preston North End and Everton wrapped up. What’s cool about this stage is that the draw isn’t split into northern and southern sections anymore. That means any team can face any other team, which is how we ended up with that Liverpool-Tottenham blockbuster! They even did a pre-draw for clubs participating in Europe, just to figure out who plays home or away and avoid any scheduling nightmares. It’s all about making sure these knockout games can happen without a hitch, and it sets the stage for some incredible football.
So, when do we get to see all this action? The Carabao Cup third-round matches are set to kick off across the weeks beginning September 7 and September 14. We’re looking at specific game days on Tuesday, September 8, Wednesday, September 9, Thursday, September 10, and then again the following week on Tuesday, September 15, Wednesday, September 16, and Thursday, September 17. Kickoff times are still TBD, but you know we’ll be glued to the screen no matter what. One of these giants is going out early, and that’s the kind of high-stakes drama we live for! Get ready for some wild September football.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply