The draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup has set up several notable fixtures, including a potential rematch of last year’s FA Cup semi-final if Chelsea advances. Leeds United is set to face the winner of the second-round tie between Chelsea and Luton Town. This match, if Chelsea progresses, would be played at Stamford Bridge.
The fixture between Chelsea or Luton Town and Leeds United is one of several intriguing matchups in the third round. Should Chelsea win their second-round game, the third-round match would take place during the week of either 7 September or 14 September. This potential encounter carries both recent and historical significance for the clubs involved.
Key Third Round Fixtures
The draw has resulted in a number of all-Premier League clashes, which could influence later stages of the competition. Among these, Liverpool is drawn against Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United will play Brighton & Hove Albion. Brighton previously eliminated Manchester United from last season’s FA Cup at Old Trafford.
Other all-Premier League ties include Sunderland hosting Hull City and Everton welcoming Wolverhampton Wanderers. Newcastle United faces a trip to Millwall, while holders Manchester City will play Norwich City at home. AFC Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are set to host Championship opposition, with ties against Lincoln City and Middlesbrough, respectively.
Arsenal, who were runners-up in the competition last season after losing to Manchester City at Wembley, will begin their campaign against Ipswich Town. This match will be held at Portman Road. Ipswich Town secured their spot in the third round by defeating Leicester City 3-1 in the second round. This will be the first meeting between Arsenal and Ipswich Town since April 2025, when Arsenal won 4-0 at Portman Road in the Premier League. Ipswich Town, managed by Gary O’Neil, started the 2026/27 season with a 2-1 home victory over Sunderland.
The Gunners aim to win the Carabao Cup for the third time in their history, having previously lifted the trophy in 1987 and 1993. The match against Ipswich Town is scheduled for the week commencing 14 September. Exact dates, kick-off times, and ticket information are expected to be announced later.
Other Notable Matches
In other third-round matchups, Coventry City will host Aston Villa in a Midlands derby. West Ham United will play either Fulham or AFC Wimbledon. The remaining ties feature Leyton Orient at home to Bradford City, Reading against Brentford, Peterborough United hosting Barnsley, and Fleetwood Town playing Sheffield United.
The two remaining second-round fixtures, Chelsea versus Luton Town and Fulham versus AFC Wimbledon, are scheduled to take place on Thursday night. The third-round matches will be spread across the weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September. The five Premier League clubs participating in this season’s Champions League will play their third-round ties in the second week due to their European commitments. Additionally, the rules for the third round prevented the eight teams involved in the Champions League and Europa League from being drawn against each other.
Andy Robertson is set to make his return to Anfield as Liverpool hosts Tottenham Hotspur. Robertson joined Tottenham on a free transfer this summer after nine years with Liverpool. The Scotland captain’s return to Liverpool in September will see Andoni Iraola’s side face Roberto De Zerbi’s new-look team. Thierno Barry scored a hat-trick for Everton as they advanced to the third round, where they will face Wolverhampton Wanderers. Brennan Johnson also scored his first goal for Everton in their second-round victory.
Harvey Barnes scored twice for Newcastle United in their 3-2 win over West Brom, expressing the team’s ambition to “go all the way” in the competition. Savio, a new signing for Tottenham Hotspur, scored his first goal for the club in a 5-1 win over Charlton in the Carabao Cup, with manager Roberto De Zerbi challenging him to reach double figures for goals this season. Tottenham completed the £85m signing of Savio from Manchester City on Tuesday.
The third-round draw includes 16 fixtures, with the exact dates for each match to be confirmed.
Source: weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com