Carabao Cup: Third Round Draw Pitches European Giants Against Each Other

The draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup has been conducted, with seven English clubs participating in European competitions this season, including reigning champions Liverpool, joining the competition at this stage.

Ties are scheduled for the weeks commencing 16th and 23rd September, with the six clubs involved in the Champions League and Europa League - Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United - facing a unique scheduling challenge. To ensure these clubs can fulfil their Carabao Cup fixtures, a pre-draw was held before the Forest v Newcastle game, keeping them apart and deciding whether they would be home or away in the third round.

The main draw, which determined the 16 pairings, was then conducted, with the six aforementioned clubs and Chelsea, who are currently competing in the Conference League, potentially facing each other in the next stage of the competition.

However, Chelsea's involvement in the Conference League is contingent on their progress, with their next fixture in the competition not scheduled until the start of October.

This round of the Carabao Cup promises to be a captivating affair, featuring a mix of Premier League giants and Championship contenders. The draw has set the stage for potential clashes between some of England's most formidable clubs, guaranteeing excitement for fans throughout the tournament.