The 2025/26 Carabao Cup continues this week with the third round bringing in Premier League heavyweights and plenty of lower-league challengers. With Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Manchester City all in action, fans can expect drama, upsets, and tight contests across England.
Several ties have already been decided, with Brentford, Crystal Palace, and Swansea all booking their places in the next round after dramatic wins. Here’s a full look at the results so far and the fixtures still to come.
Carabao Cup Third Round Results
- Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Grimsby Town – Grimsby caused an upset with a narrow away win.
- Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa (4-2 on pens) – Brentford edged past Villa in a tense shootout.
- Crystal Palace 1-1 Millwall (4-2 on pens) – Palace came through after a fierce London derby.
- Swansea City 3-2 Nottingham Forest – A late goal sealed Swansea’s progress in a thriller.
Today’s Fixtures (Tuesday, 23 September)
- Lincoln City vs Chelsea – 21:45
- Wolves vs Everton – 21:45
- Fulham vs Cambridge United – 21:45
- Wigan Athletic vs Wycombe – 21:45
- Barnsley vs Brighton – 21:45
- Burnley vs Cardiff City – 21:45
- Wrexham vs Reading – 21:45
- Liverpool vs Southampton – 22:00
Tomorrow’s Fixtures (Wednesday, 24 September)
- Huddersfield Town vs Manchester City – 21:45
- Newcastle vs Bradford City – 21:45
- Tottenham vs Doncaster Rovers – 21:45
- Port Vale vs Arsenal – 22:00
Key Storylines to Watch
- Premier League Giants Enter the Fold: Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Manchester City all join the competition at this stage, with tricky away ties awaiting.
- Wrexham’s Hollywood Run: The Welsh club, co-owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, face Reading after edging Preston 3-2 in the last round.
- Potential Cup Shocks: With clubs like Grimsby already through, lower-league sides will fancy their chances of more giant-killings.
- City’s Historic Record: Manchester City have dominated this competition in the last decade, and Pep Guardiola’s men begin away at Huddersfield.
Why This Round Matters
The third round is traditionally when the Carabao Cup lights up, as top-flight clubs face hungry challengers. For Premier League teams, it’s often a chance to rotate squads while still pushing for silverware. For lower-league sides, it’s an opportunity to test themselves against the best — and to deliver shocks that will be remembered for years.
