Bernie Wilson
Updated on: October 14, 2024 11:25 am GMT
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool headline an exciting lineup in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, where they will face Premier League rivals Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion, respectively. These fixtures promise thrilling football as the teams aim for glory in one of England’s most storied cup competitions.
High-Stakes Matchups Await
The draw for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, also known as the EFL Cup, has sparked anticipation among fans. Tottenham will welcome Manchester City, adding an intriguing twist to their storied rivalry. The teams last met in the 2020/21 Carabao Cup final, where City emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win, courtesy of a header from Aymeric Laporte. As Tottenham prepares to host Pep Guardiola’s squad once more, the stage is set for a competitive clash.
Liverpool, the defending champions, will travel to Brighton to continue their title defense. Having secured the Carabao Cup for a record 10th time last season, Liverpool aims to extend their successful run. “We respect every team in this tournament, and Brighton will be tough at home,” said Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp as his side gears up for the match.
Other Notable Matches
The fourth round will also see several other interesting fixtures, especially among household names in the Premier League:
- Manchester United will host Leicester City at Old Trafford, looking to build momentum after a rocky start to the season.
- Brighton vs. Liverpool promises to be a test of strength, as both teams vie for a path to the next stage.
- Aston Villa will take on Crystal Palace, ensuring that some Premier League talent will be eliminated from the tournament.
There are four non-Premier League teams still in the competition: Stoke City, Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, and possibly AFC Wimbledon, who are waiting on a rescheduled match against Newcastle after flood damage postponed their last game.
Full List of Fourth-Round Fixtures
The upcoming matchups are as follows:
- Brentford vs. Sheffield Wednesday
- Southampton vs. Stoke City
- Tottenham vs. Manchester City
- AFC Wimbledon/Newcastle vs. Chelsea
- Manchester United vs. Leicester
- Brighton vs. Liverpool
- Preston vs. Arsenal
- Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace
Anticipation Builds for Match Dates
All fourth-round matches will take place during the week commencing October 28th, and fans can catch every game live on Sky Sports. This provides a perfect opportunity for football enthusiasts to witness high-caliber matches as teams vie for a spot in the quarter-finals.
In an exciting twist, the battle between AFC Wimbledon and Newcastle will determine who gets to host Chelsea in the next round. The Wimbledon-Newcastle match has faced delays due to severe weather conditions, with a new date set for October 1 at St. James’ Park.
Non-Premier League Teams to Watch
With only four non-Premier League teams advancing to the fourth round, every match offers a chance for underdogs to shine:
- Preston North End, who face Arsenal, have proven resilient this season. They recently triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout against Fulham, winning 16-15.
- Sheffield Wednesday will take on Brentford, having shown glimpses of potential in previous rounds.
- Stoke City will look to upset Southampton in their away game, hoping to carry their Championship form into the cup.
Despite these teams coming from the lower tiers, they have already demonstrated their capacity to compete at high levels, making their matches essential viewing for fans.
Looking Ahead
As the fourth round of the Carabao Cup approaches, excitement is palpable among supporters. Each match presents distinctive storylines, particularly the encounters between established Premier League teams and challengers from lower divisions.
The quarter-finals are set to kick off the week of December 16, followed by semi-finals and the final in early 2025, creating further opportunities for these teams to capitalize on their momentum in the knockout format.
This round will not only showcase competitive spirit but will also highlight emerging talent in English football. Fans are encouraged to tune in, knowing that every match could yield surprising upsets or reaffirm the dominance of favorites.
The fourth round of the Carabao Cup is going to be really exciting! Fans can’t wait to see their teams play and hope for great wins. Everyone is cheering for their favorite teams as they try to win the trophy.
