Carabao Cup Draw Delivers Big Premier League Clashes and Historic Welsh Derby in Fourth Round of EFL Cup
The latest Carabao Cup draw for the 2025–26 season has unveiled a dramatic set of fixtures for the fourth round of the EFL Cup, featuring heavyweight battles, underdog stories, and a historic all-Welsh derby that adds extra intrigue to this year’s competition. With ties scheduled for the week commencing 27 October, fans can expect a thrilling round packed with drama.
The latest Carabao Cup draw for the 2025–26 season has unveiled a dramatic set of fixtures for the fourth round of the EFL Cup, featuring heavyweight battles, underdog stories, and a historic all-Welsh derby that adds extra intrigue to this year’s competition. With ties scheduled for the week commencing 27 October, fans can expect a thrilling round packed with drama.
Carabao Cup Draw Results: Full Fourth Round Fixtures
The official EFL Cup draw produced eight exciting matchups. From Premier League heavyweights to lower-league dreamers, here is the complete list of fourth-round ties:
| Fixture | Competition Stage | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion | Fourth Round | Emirates Stadium |
| Grimsby Town vs Brentford | Fourth Round | Blundell Park |
| Swansea City vs Manchester City | Fourth Round | Swansea.com Stadium |
| Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur | Fourth Round | St James’ Park |
| Wrexham vs Cardiff City | Fourth Round | SToK Cae Ras |
| Liverpool vs Crystal Palace | Fourth Round | Anfield |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea | Fourth Round | Molineux Stadium |
| Wycombe Wanderers vs Fulham | Fourth Round | Adams Park |
Premier League Giants Collide in the Carabao Cup
Several ties from the carabao cup draw promise top-level battles.
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Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur stands out as one of the most anticipated matches, with the defending champions facing a tough test against Spurs.
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Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion pits two attacking sides against each other, with both clubs eager to prove their depth.
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Liverpool vs Crystal Palace offers another all-Premier League clash, ensuring one giant will fall at this stage.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea will test Chelsea’s ability to recover after a chaotic third-round match against Lincoln City.
These fixtures highlight the intensity of the EFL Cup as top clubs balance domestic cup ambitions with European commitments.
Historic Welsh Derby Headlines EFL Cup Draw
The standout story from this round is the inclusion of three Welsh clubs: Swansea City, Wrexham, and Cardiff City. For the first time, all three have reached the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
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Wrexham vs Cardiff City marks a rare all-Welsh derby in the English football pyramid, expected to ignite fierce local rivalry.
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Swansea City vs Manchester City will see the Welsh side face the reigning Premier League champions in one of the toughest challenges of the round.
This unique milestone ensures Welsh football takes center stage in this year’s EFL Cup draw.
Grimsby Town and Wycombe Wanderers Keep Underdog Dream Alive
Beyond the elite clashes, the Carabao Cup draw results also kept alive some remarkable underdog stories:
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Grimsby Town, who shocked Manchester United earlier, will host Brentford at Blundell Park. Their giant-killing run continues to capture the imagination of neutral fans.
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Wycombe Wanderers face Fulham at Adams Park, offering the League One side another chance to test themselves against higher-league opposition.
These ties embody the spirit of the EFL Cup, where lower-league teams can challenge and occasionally topple established Premier League sides.
Controversy and Fan Reactions
The carabao cup draw sparked debate among supporters, with some fans accusing the process of being “rigged” due to the high-profile matchups it produced. The Newcastle vs Tottenham tie, in particular, raised eyebrows, while Arsenal’s home advantage also drew attention.
Adding to the narrative, Chelsea’s third-round clash featured goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen accidentally punching teammate Wesley Fofana, raising questions about the Blues’ defensive stability ahead of their trip to Wolves. Meanwhile, Liverpool advanced with a dramatic 2–1 win over Southampton, where Hugo Ekitiké scored the winner before being sent off.
What’s at Stake in the EFL Cup
The Carabao Cup has always provided clubs with a valuable opportunity for silverware. The 2025–26 season, the 66th edition of the tournament, carries additional weight as the winner secures a spot in the playoff round of the 2026–27 UEFA Conference League.
With the fourth round set for late October, every fixture has the potential to reshape ambitions. Premier League giants are looking to avoid upsets, while lower-league clubs dream of extending their Cinderella runs deeper into the competition.
The Carabao Cup draw has delivered storylines for every level of football, from Wembley dreams to fierce local rivalries, ensuring the upcoming fourth round of the EFL Cup will be one to remember.
