The Carabao Cup has reached the last 16, with Arsenal, Brentford, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United among the clubs to discover their fourth-round opponents.
The Carabao Cup is down to its final 16, with Wednesday night’s draw setting several all-Premier League meetings for the Fourth-Round
Liverpool against Chelsea at Anfield is the clear heavyweight fixture of the Fourth-Round. Meanwhile, Everton host Newcastle United and Fulham face Crystal Palace. Arsenal have been sent to Fleetwood Town, the lowest-ranked club left in the competition, and Brentford will make the trip to Sunderland.
There was no seeding or regionalisation in the fourth round, so all of the remaining clubs went into the same draw.
One place is still technically unresolved. Manchester City host Norwich City in the final third-round fixture on Thursday night, but both already know what awaits the winner: a home tie against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Carabao Cup Fourth-Round Draw in Full
Manchester City or Norwich City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Fleetwood Town vs Arsenal
Sunderland vs Brentford
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Bradford City vs Peterborough United
Fulham vs Crystal Palace
Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Everton vs Newcastle United
Fleetwood’s reward is particularly notable. The League Two side beat Championship opposition Sheffield United to reach the fourth round for the first time in their history and will now welcome the Premier League champions.
Arsenal made it through with a 4-2 victory at Ipswich Town on Tuesday. Mikel Arteta made nine changes at Portman Road, where 16-year-old Max Dowman scored twice as the Gunners began another attempt at going deep in the competition after reaching last season’s final.
Brentford had a tighter night at Reading. Callum Wilson scored after only three minutes and Fábio Carvalho, making his first competitive start in 11 months, added the second before half-time in a 2-1 victory.
Keith Andrews has already called the Carabao Cup a priority this season. His side put six past Birmingham City in the previous round and will now face Sunderland for a place in the last eight.
There will definitely be EFL representation in the quarter-finals. Bradford City and Peterborough United have been drawn against each other, while Fleetwood have the chance to take another lower-league club through if they can upset Arsenal.
Chelsea’s route continues at Anfield after they beat Leeds United 6-3. Aston Villa travel to Bournemouth in another tie between Premier League clubs.
When Will the Carabao Cup Fourth-Round Games Be Played?
The fourth-round ties are scheduled for the week commencing Monday, October 26.
Exact dates and kick-off times will follow once television selections have been made and the clubs’ other commitments are taken into account. That will be particularly relevant for the sides also playing in Europe, with the cup fixtures landing between two weekends of domestic football.
Each tie will be decided on the night, with the eight winners moving into the quarter-finals.
Those quarter-final matches are scheduled for the week commencing December 14.
Manchester City are the holders after beating Arsenal in last season’s final, although they still have Norwich to negotiate on Thursday before their place in this season’s last 16 is secure.
