The 2025-26 Carabao Cup has reached its fourth round – the stage where 16 clubs remain and the excitement builds as every tie carries major knockout stakes. With Premier League heavyweights pitted against ambitious lower-league sides and local derbies in the mix, this week’s fixtures promise drama, intrigue and perhaps the odd upset.
Below you’ll find a full preview of each Carabao Cup Fourth Round tie: how the clubs got to this stage, current team news and talking points, recent player form, head-to-head context, and a predicted starting eleven for each side.
Route to Round 4
Arsenal entered the competition in the third round and made light work of their tie away at Port Vale, securing a 2-0 win. Meanwhile Brighton & Hove Albion carved a path of dominance by posting consecutive 6-0 victories in rounds two and three, notably defeating Oxford United and Barnsley to build serious attacking momentum.
Team News & Talking Points
Arsenal face a busy fixture schedule and are expected to rotate their squad. Key players such as William Saliba and Declan Rice are managing knocks, and with Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka either unavailable or recovering, manager Mikel Arteta may hand fringe and younger players a chance to shine. Brighton arrive off a fine cup run but with inconsistent league form. They bring an attacking threat but also carry injury concerns among their squad and will need to be at their sharpest to upset the Gunners on their own patch.
Player-Form Table (last 5 matches)
Head-to-Head
Recent meetings between these clubs have been tight. Arsenal have had the edge at home, but Brighton’s attacking flair means this could be more open than expected.
Predicted Team Selections
Check out the Latest Betting Odds for this and all other Carabao Cup games!
Route to Round 4
Swansea City progressed through the early rounds with a 3-1 win over Crawley Town, a penalty-shootout success at Plymouth Argyle, and then a strong performance to eliminate Nottingham Forest 3-2 in Round 3 – showing the kind of cup form that can unsettle bigger clubs. Manchester City advanced by beating Huddersfield Town 2-0 in Round 3, utilising their squad depth to avoid major exertion.
Team News & Talking Points
Manchester City are likely to rotate again, managing fitness across competitions. Key players such as Rodri and Khusanov are doubts, which could open the door for younger names. Swansea will relish the home occasion and the under-dog tag; their strategy will likely involve defensive organisation, fast transitions and making the most of home support. The big question: can Swansea upset the rhythm of City, or will City’s quality and depth prove decisive?
Player-Form Table
Head-to-Head
These clubs have limited recent meetings. City have the clear advantage historically, but in a single-leg cup tie anything can happen.
Predicted Team Selections
Check out the Latest Betting Odds for this and all other Carabao Cup games!
Route to Round 4
Defending champions Newcastle United entered in Round 3 and maintained their momentum with a 4-1 win over Bradford City to reach this stage. Tottenham Hotspur also came through their Round 3 match beating Doncaster Rovers 3-0 and now aim to build on that in this serious tie.
Team News & Talking Points
Newcastle will aim to defend their crown with ambition but must manage league and European commitments. They may rotate but will likely still field a competitive side given the club’s desire for silverware. Tottenham face heavy fixture congestion and may make changes, yet they know a win here provides momentum. The tie is poised as a heavyweight clash between two Premier League clubs and could hinge on who handles rotation, energy levels and mental sharpness better.
Player-Form Table
Head-to-Head
In recent meetings, the clubs have been closely matched, with margin of difference slim. A tight game is anticipated.
Predicted Team Selections
Route to Round 4
Liverpool navigated their Round 3 tie with Southampton 2-1 at Anfield, bit it wasn't a confident performance, but signalling that despite mixed league form they remain dangerous in cups. Crystal Palace likewise advanced through the third round, beating Millwall 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, showing resilience and tactical discipline, and now arrive with belief, even as underdogs.
Team News & Talking Points
Liverpool view this tie as a chance to reset after some miserable league form and challenge for silverware; manager Arne Slot may integrate younger players and rotate to refresh the squad. Crystal Palace will be organised, disciplined and ready to frustrate. They will likely defend deep, seek to control transitions and hope for a moment of magic. The key will be: can Liverpool dominate without overcommitting or lose rhythm due to rotation?
Player-Form Table
Head-to-Head
Historically, Liverpool have the advantage, especially at home, but Cup ties add unpredictability.
Predicted Team Selections
Check out the Latest Betting Odds for this and all other Carabao Cup games!
Route to Round 4
Wolves advanced through earlier rounds with intelligent performances, beating West Ham 3-2 in the second Round and Everton 2-0 in the third, underlining their ability to compete in cup formats even amid league pressures. Chelsea progressed too, beating Lincoln 2-1 away in the third round, using a combination of first-team and fringe players to reach this stage and now eye the knockout matches as opportunities for silverware.
Team News & Talking Points
Wolves enjoy home advantage and will approach the match confidently, perhaps setting up to defend well and hit Chelsea on the break. Chelsea have a deeper squad and will likely rotate, but still commit sufficient quality. The tie may boil down to focus and intensity: will Chelsea take this seriously amid other commitments? Will Wolves rise to the occasion and exploit any complacency?
Player-Form Table
Head-to-Head
Recent matches between these clubs have been competitive; home advantage could be key for Wolves.
Predicted Team Selections
Route to Round 4
Wycombe have captured attention with their cup run from lower divisions: knocking out opponents Leyton Orient, Bromley and Wigan in early rounds and earning a home tie against a Premier League side. Fulham have likewise advanced through their earlier matches, beating Bristol City and Cambridge,and prepare to travel, avoiding complacency against a motivated opponent.
Team News & Talking Points
Wycombe relish the under-dog tag and will play with freedom, backed by home support and the occasion. Fulham know they must be alert from the start; a strong side will likely be rotated but still capable. The tie could be tighter than many expect: if Wycombe rise to the occasion and Fulham fail to hit top gear early, the upset is plausible.
Player-Form Table
Head-to-Head
These clubs have little recent direct history; the occasion and occasion-specific momentum could matter more than past record.
Predicted Team Selections
Check out the Latest Betting Odds for this and all other Carabao Cup games!
Route to Round 4
Grimsby Town have been one of the cup’s surprise stories: as a lower-league side they eliminated Premier League opposition (including a shock win over Manchester United), then followed it up to reach the fourth round. Brentford progressed comfortably through their earlier tie(s) and now head into an away match where they are expected to assert their status.
Team News & Talking Points
For Grimsby, this tie is huge – opportunity for national headlines, club boosting morale and financial benefit. They will likely set up strongly defensively and target set-piece or counter opportunities. Brentford will aim to be professional, impose their game, avoid being sucked into the under-dog’s momentum and early pressure. Momentum, mindset and starting pace will be crucial.
Player-Form Table
Head-to-Head
Rare meetings; Brentford carry clear historical advantage, but Grimsby’s form in this competition cannot be ignored.
Predicted Team Selections
Check out the Latest Betting Odds for this and all other Carabao Cup games!
Route to Round 4
Wrexham progressed through the early rounds with strong performances, their fans buoyant and club relishing this stage. Cardiff City likewise advanced and now travel to a Welsh derby fixture where the local rivalry adds spice and unpredictability.
Team News & Talking Points
Wrexham will embrace the chance to reach the last four of a major cup and derby atmosphere – they’ll attack with enthusiasm and take the match very seriously. Cardiff City will approach with experience, aim to control the game, slow tempo if needed and exploit mistakes. Intensity and mental edge will matter: derby ties often swing on fine margins.
Player-Form Table
Head-to-Head
History between these clubs is limited in the cup context, but the derby flavour adds an extra dimension and means form/mentality could outweigh raw quality.
Predicted Team Selections
Check out the Latest Betting Odds for this and all other Carabao Cup games!
The fourth round of the 2025-26 Carabao Cup displays a compelling mixture of top-flight clashes, ambitious under-dogs and regional rivalries. Whether it’s the established powers of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, or the David-versus-Goliath stories of Grimsby, Wycombe and Wrexham, every tie carries knockout tension and the potential for surprises.
Keep an eye on squad rotation, team morale, momentum and home advantage – all factors that could define which clubs advance to the quarter-finals.
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Q1. What is the Carabao Cup?
The Carabao Cup is the sponsored name for the English Football League Cup, a knockout tournament open to all 92 clubs in the Premier League and the English Football League.
Q2. Which teams enter at which round?
Typically, clubs from the Premier League participating in European competition enter at Round 3, while others begin in Round 1 or Round 2 depending on their league tier and involvement in Europe.
Q3. What prize does the winner receive?
The winner of the Carabao Cup usually qualifies for the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League, provided they haven’t qualified for a higher European competition via their league position.
Q4. When are the rounds played?
For the 2025-26 season: Preliminary round in early August; Round 1 in mid-August; Round 2 late August; Round 3 mid-September; Round 4 in the week commencing 27 October; quarter-finals mid-December; semi-finals in January/February; final in late March.
Q5. Why is the competition important for clubs?
For many clubs, the Carabao Cup offers a realistic chance at silverware, opportunity for fringe players, and for lower-league sides a chance of dramatic “giant-killing” breakthroughs. It also provides additional competitive fixtures that can impact form and momentum.
Q6. How does a tie work?
Most rounds are single-leg knockout matches; if the game is level after 90 minutes, extra time and then penalties decide the winner. The semi-finals are sometimes played over two legs (depending on the season’s format).
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