The Carabao Cup's fourth round is upon us, and excitement is high as teams battle it out for a coveted spot in the quarterfinals. With several intriguing matchups, fans are ready for a thrilling night of action.
Newcastle United v Chelsea
Newcastle United hosts Chelsea at St James’ Park in a high-stakes encounter. History slightly favors Chelsea, having eliminated Newcastle in five of their six previous League Cup meetings. Last season’s showdown saw Chelsea narrowly win on penalties after a 1-1 draw, adding to the intense rivalry. Newcastle, however, is on a home winning streak against Chelsea, making them formidable contenders. With an eye on a third consecutive quarterfinal appearance, Newcastle aims to build on their strong form, especially at home. Chelsea, boosted by the attacking prowess of Christopher Nkunku, is also vying for back-to-back quarterfinals—a feat they last achieved in the 2018-19 season. This promises to be an intense matchup with both sides eager to advance.
Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
Aston Villa welcomes Crystal Palace to Villa Park, hoping to extend their League Cup dominance over the Eagles. Villa has a solid record against Palace, winning three of their four previous League Cup encounters. Their last meeting, in 2003-04, ended in a commanding 3-0 victory for Villa. Palace, however, has struggled on Villa’s turf, with seven winless visits across competitions. The Eagles also have a poor record in the fourth round, failing to advance in their last three attempts. Despite Villa’s recent challenges against Premier League teams, star player Morgan Rogers—who has scored in his last five League Cup matches—will be key to their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals.
Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday
Brentford faces Sheffield Wednesday with confidence, having won their last three encounters. The Bees, aiming for a fourth consecutive victory over Wednesday, have smoothly advanced through earlier rounds against lower-league opponents. Sheffield Wednesday, however, holds a historical edge, having progressed in both previous League Cup ties against Brentford. Notably, they reached the quarterfinals with a memorable 3-0 victory over Arsenal in 2015-16. Brentford’s Fábio Carvalho, who has five goals in his last six domestic cup appearances, will be crucial for Brentford’s offense, while Wednesday seeks to disrupt their Premier League rivals.
Brighton v Liverpool
Brighton and Liverpool’s clash at the Amex Stadium promises to be a highlight. Brighton has won two of their last three home games against Liverpool, a significant achievement given Liverpool’s history. The Reds hold an edge in League Cup encounters but face a challenging Brighton side with three consecutive home wins in this tournament. Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, with six goals in his recent League Cup appearances, poses a major threat. As Brighton seeks only their second quarterfinal appearance since 1978-79, they aim to leverage their home advantage for a historic victory.
Tuesday Fixtures
In addition to these fixtures, Southampton takes on Stoke City and Brentford hosts Sheffield Wednesday, rounding out an exciting Carabao Cup round that promises drama and passion across the board. As each team fights for progression, fans are in for an unforgettable night of football.
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