Liverpool will play Tottenham in the third round of the Carabao Cup while Coventry City host Aston Villa in a Midlands derby and Chelsea could host Leeds United should they defeat Luton tomorrow night.
Premier League champions Arsenal will travel to Ipswich and Manchester United face Brighton, who knocked the Red Devils out of last season’s FA Cup at Old Trafford. Everton host Wolves and Newcastle face a tricky visit to Millwall, while Sunderland host Hull in another all-Premier League tie.
Holders Manchester City are home to Norwich and Bournemouth and Crystal Palace also host Championship opposition with respective ties against Lincoln and Middlesbrough, while West Ham will welcome either Fulham or AFC Wimbledon.
Brentford make the short trip to Reading, while the remaining ties see Sheffield United at Fleetwood, Leyton Orient at home to Bradford and Peterborough meeting Barnsley.
The two remaining ties, between Chelsea and Luton and Fulham and AFC Wimbledon, will take place on Thursday night. The third-round fixtures will be held across the weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September.
The five Premier League clubs playing in this season’s Champions League will be in action in the second week due to their European commitments. The eight teams involved in the Champions League and Europa League could not play each other in the third round.
Follow all live updates from tonight’s ties below:
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Carabao Cup third round draw
- Liverpool v Tottenham in Carabao Cup third round
- Coventry City host Aston Villa in Midlands derby, Chelsea could face Leeds
- Ipswich v Arsenal, Man City v Norwich, Man Utd v Brighton
- Click here to see Carabao Cup third round draw in full
- Carabao Cup third round takes place across w/c 7 September and 14 September
- Tottenham, Newcastle and Everton through tonight | Bradford knock out Burnley on pens
Carabao Cup third round draw in full
22:23 , Mike JonesCrystal Palace v Middlesbrough
Manchester United v Brighton
Manchester City v Norwich
Sunderland v Hull
Ipswich v Arsenal
Coventry v Aston Villa
Bournemouth v Lincoln
Liverpool v Tottenham
Chelsea/Luton v Leeds
Millwall v Newcastle
Fleetwood v Sheffield United
Everton v Wolves
Leyton Orient v Bradford
Reading v Brentford
Peterborough v Barnsley
West Ham v Fulham/AFC Wimbledon
Andy Robertson set for Liverpool return as Tottenham head to Anfield in Carabao Cup
23:30 , Jamie BraidwoodAndy Robertson will return to Anfield for the first time as Liverpool host Tottenham in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
The Scotland captain joined Spurs on a free transfer this summer after nine successful years at Liverpool, where he became one of the world’s best left backs and a fan favourite.
The 32-year-old is now set for an emotional return to Liverpool in September when Andoni Iraola’s side host Roberto De Zerbi’s new-look side in the pick of the third-round draw.
Thierno Barry leads confident Everton to reflect David Moyes’ Carabao Cup mission
23:08 , Richard Jolly at DeepdaleA hat-trick for Thierno Barry and a first in blue for Brennan Johnston gave David Moyes plenty to smile about as his side cruised into the third round.
Thierno Barry leads confident Everton to reflect David Moyes’ Carabao Cup mission
Where can Everton improve?
23:04 , Mike JonesA final word from the Everton manager who explained the areas he thinks his team can improve in the short term.
“I think we’ve got a lot of work to do and I still feel that for us to be a side which is competitive I still feel that we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Moyes said.
“Hopefully we’re able to try and do some of it.
"More players. Our squad’s not big enough. We need to get more quality in some areas if we can do."
Moyes on progress of Johnson
23:00 , Mike JonesDavid Moyes and Everton aren’t rushing to get Brennan Johnson back into his best goalscoring form and the manager believes that easing him into life on Merseyside will benefit him.
"We want to find what he did at Tottenham when he was scoring all those goals,” Moyes revealed.
“His assist was a brilliant assist and his finish as well.
“The people who’ve watched Brennan over the years would tell you that looks a bit more like him… we don’t want to bring him on too quick we want to sort of introduce him but he’s done well when he’s come on tonight."
Moyes on Barry's improvement
22:56 , Mike JonesThierno Barry scored a hat-trick for Everton and David Moyes is hopeful that can inspire him to kick on and progress.
"I told him he has to do a lot better than he did before, that’s it,” Moyes said of Barry.
“We want goalscorers, we want centre forwards to score goals and he’s got some.
"I don’t think it’s easy for anybody coming to the Premier League in their first season, especially centre forwards, it’s difficult for them.
“He’ll learn a lot more, he’ll see a lot more and he’s come in with a much better attitude generally so whoever’s working with him is doing a good job."
Post-match reaction from David Moyes
22:52 , Mike JonesEverton boss David Moyes is a happy man. He’s beaten his old side Preston 4-0 tonight and advanced to the next round where the Toffees will face Wolves.
"It ended up a bit more comfortable than I thought it might’ve been but obviously a really good result,” Moyes said after the game.
“We played well at times, our football was quite good. We needed to finish things off a bit better in the first half but really pleased we scored four goals."
Harvey Barnes wants to 'go all the way'
22:48 , Mike JonesHarvey Barnes was Newcastle’s standout player tonight as he scored twice in a 3-2 win over West Brom.
When asked about the aim of Newcastle in this year’s competition, Barnes replied: "A few of the older players that are here have that, that taste of glory, that's what we want.
“The manager has had some success in his career and he wants that as well, that is why he has come here so there's a real emphasis on that.
“The ultimate goal is to go all the way."
Johnson growing in confidence at Everton
22:44 , Mike JonesBrennan Johnson’s swap move to Everton was one of the more unusual transfer stories of the summer but it looks as though he’s settling at the club.
He recorded a goal and an assist tonight.
Speaking after the game he touched on his own performance saying: "It meant a lot.
“It’s been a little while, a bit longer than I wanted but when I came here I wanted to make sure I do everything right to give myself a chance to start bright and yeah… perfect game, buzzing for the big man [Thierno Barry] but I’m also really happy to score myself.
"When I came here, all the lads were so good with me, made me feel really welcome and I think it helps to play with confidence on the pitch, so big shoutout to the boys. I feel comfortable already and I'm loving life."
Reaction from Thierno Barry after scoring his hat-trick
22:39 , Mike JonesAfter scoring a hat-trick against Preston, Thierno Barry spoke to Sky Sports.
He said: "I say this season needs to be mine. I try a lot this summer for that so I’m very happy to score my first hat-trick with Everton.
“I work a lot for that, I’m very happy, my team-mates helped me a lot also."
Other ties to watch out for
22:33 , Mike JonesIspwich Town are hosting the Premier League champions which will be an fantastic night at Portman Road whenever that match takes place.
There’s also a midlands derby as Coventry take on Aston Villa. That’s also an all-Premier League tie and could be interesting if Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues can find their footing in the top-flight before that fixture rolls around.
Over in the North East, Sunderland are set for an intriguing meeting with Hull City. Hull defeated Man Utd in their first game of the season so can they carry that confidence into the league cup as well?
When will the Carabao Cup third round be played?
22:29 , Mike JonesThe third round of the Carabao Cup is scheduled to take place across consecutive weeks, starting on 7 September and 14 September.
The ties will be played midweek as single-leg fixtures with the winners progressing to the fourth round.
Teams involved in the Champions League and Europa League will play their matches in weeks that avoid the European competitions.
Interesting third round ties
22:25 , Mike JonesThere are some interesting ties coming up in the third round.
The big one is probably the all-Premier League clash between Liverpool and Tottenham at Anfield.
Chelsea, should they beat Luton tomorrow, will play Leeds which has the potential to be spicy as well.
Michael Carrick also has a tough task on his hands as he attempts to mastermind a Manchester United victory against Brighton.
Carabao Cup third round draw
22:21 , Mike JonesReading will face Brentford.
Peterborough United host Barnsley.
Finally, West Ham will take on Fulham or AFC Wimbledon.
Carabao Cup third round draw
22:20 , Mike JonesFleetwood Town will play Sheffield United.
Everton are drawn against Wolves.
Leyton Orient are at home against Bradford City.
Carabao Cup third round draw
22:19 , Mike JonesChelsea of Luton face Leeds United.
Millwall take on Newcastle.
Carabao Cup third round draw
22:18 , Mike JonesCoventry City are drawn against Aston Villa.
Bournemouth take on Lincoln.
Liverpool will face Tottenham!
Carabao Cup third round draw
22:18 , Mike JonesSunderland are drawn against Hull City.
Ipswich will host Arsenal.
Carabao Cup third round draw
22:17 , Mike JonesManchester United will face Brighton.
Manchester City take on Norwich.
Carabao Cup third round draw
22:17 , Mike JonesOkay then, let’s get into the draw. The first eight fixtures will feature the teams in the European competitions.
First out of the pot is Middlesbrough!
They’ll take on Crystal Palace.
Carabao Cup third round draw
22:15 , Mike JonesEarlier there was a pre-draw to determine if the eight Premier League clubs involved in the Champions League and Europa League this season would play their third round ties at home or away.
Their venues have already been decided and each of those teams will be drawn against a club from a separate bowl containing the remaining teams before the rest of the draw.
Third round draw happening soon
22:12 , Mike JonesThe third round draw is starting shortly and the remaining teams are predominantly from the Premier League.
But, there are still plenty of clubs from the lower league invested in the competition including Fleetwood as the only representatives from League Two.
Millwall, Wolves, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, West Ham, Lincoln, and Norwich represent the Championship.
Bradford, Leyton Orient, Peterborough, Reading, and Barnsley and in League One.
Luton and AFC Wimbledon could also go through but they play Chelsea and Fulham respectively tomorrow night.
Conor Coady praises 'excellent' Everton
22:08 , Mike JonesFormer Everton defender Conor Coady spoke about the Toffees’ performance tonight and was impressed.
“I thought Everton were excellent from start to finish,” he said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“A tough evening for Preston but I think we expected it and I don't mean that to sound bad in any way.
“For Everton it was a big, big result and these players will want to go far in this [competition].”
Barry impresses for Toffees
22:04 , Mike JonesThierno Barry had a night to remember for Everton as he scored a hat-trick as the Toffees swept Preston aside 4-0 at Deepdale.
Brennan Johnson also recorded his first goal for Everton since making the switch this summer.
Who will Everton face in the third round?
Carabao Cup: There are still two more ties to come!
22:00 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea host Luton tomorrow while, about five minutes down the road in west London, Fulham kick off against Wimbledon. They’re playing on Thursday because both Premier League teams were playing in Monday Night Football. Great process, lads.
Carabao Cup: Now when's the draw then?
21:55 , Jamie BraidwoodGreat question. It’s coming up, and hopefully it won’t be too long. Around 10:15pm feels a safe bet but Sky Sports have the final say.
Carabao Cup draw ball numbers
21:52 , Jamie BraidwoodWe had the pre-draw earlier, which confirmed home/away ties for the eight clubs into the Champions League and Europa League. As a reminder, those eight teams cannot play each other in the third round.
The EFL states: “As Uefa competition fixtures cannot be rescheduled, and to enable the Carabao Cup to proceed within its agreed schedule without disrupting other League or domestic cup fixtures, the additional conditions will ensure that the eight clubs participating in the Champions League or Europa League cannot meet each other in Round Three of the Carabao Cup. This will mean that the teams drawn in each tie will be able to fulfil the fixture in one of the allocated weeks.”
1 AFC Bournemouth (home tie)
2 Arsenal (away tie)
3 Aston Villa (away tie)
4 Crystal Palace (home tie)
5 Manchester City (home tie)
6 Manchester United (home tie)
7 Liverpool (home tie)
8 Sunderland (home tie)
9 Barnsley
10 Brentford
11 Brighton & Hove Albion
12 Coventry City
13 Fleetwood Town
14 Hull City
15 Ipswich Town
16 Leeds United
17 Leyton Orient
18 Lincoln
19 Middlesbrough
20 Millwall
21 Norwich City
22 Peterborough United
23 Reading
24 Sheffield United
25 West Ham United
26 Wolves
27 Bradford
28 Newcastle
29 Tottenham
30 Everton
31 Chelsea/Luton
32 Fulham/Wimbledon
Bradford win on penalties to reach Carabao Cup third round
21:49 , Jamie BraidwoodThat’s a shock! Bradford City win 4-2 on penalties to dump out Championship promotion hopefuls Burnley, who remain without a win this season. The League One side, who famously reached the League Cup final in 2013, are through to the third round.
GET IN THERE! 😁#BCAFC | #BRAvBUR pic.twitter.com/qxkSeYOlhv
— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) August 26, 2026
Savio scores on debut as Tottenham, Newcastle, Everton all going through
21:43 , Jamie BraidwoodSavio scored his first Tottenham goal on his debut as Roberto De Zerbi’s side thumped Charlton 5-1 to reach the third round. Mikey Moore, Dominic Solanke, Kevin Danso and Ben Davies were also on the scoresheet, before Charlton pulled one back late on.
Two goals from substitute Harvey Barnes earned Matthias Jaissle his first victory as Newcastle manager and avoided a scare as the hosts defeated West Brom 3-2 at St James’ Park. New signing Bazoumana Toure also scored his first Newcastle goal, while Isaac Price scored twice for the visitors.
A hat-trick from Thierno Barry and a first goal for Brennan Johnson has Everton cruising to a 4-0 win at Preston.... while Bradford City and Burnley is going to penalties!
Daniel Farke hails Leeds United's convincing win over Nottingham Forest
21:40 , Sport StaffBefore last Saturday, Leeds had not won at the City Ground since 1972, but now they have two victories in just over three days. They snatched a late 1-0 success in Saturday’s Premier League opener, but were worthy winners on Tuesday after second-half goals from Dan James and James Justin.
Boss Daniel Farke said: “This is what we came for, and this was my main goal.
‘You play a cup run to go through. Very happy with the level of the performance, because we had to wait very long for a win here at Nottingham and to do this two times within three days at such a tough ground, this remarkable level of performance was outstanding.
“Saturday was really a tight game, but today I think it’s not in doubt that it was a fully deserved win.”
Everton and Tottenham cruising as Newcastle edge ahead again
21:30 , Jamie BraidwoodHarvey Barnes has scored his second goal of the night to edge Newcastle back in front after an Isaac Price penalty pulled West Brom level at St James’ Park.
Thierno Barry has netted his first Everton hat-trick as the Toffees lead 4-0 at Preston, with Brennan Johnson also coming off the bench to net his first for the club.
Tottenham lead Charlton 3-0, with Kevin Danso getting his first for the club. And it’s still 0-0 between Bradford and Burnley.
Nottingham Forest 'ignoring reality' in opening losses, says Oliver Glasner
21:20 , Sport StaffNottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner says the club have “ignored reality” after losing to Leeds for the second time in three days.
Forest followed up defeat in Saturday’s Premier League opener with a 2-0 Carabao Cup loss as things have yet to click under the new manager.
“This is a little bit the assessment after six weeks here, that maybe – and not just in the team, it’s maybe in the club – that there’s a little bit of ignoring the reality,” Glasner said.
“Right now, we are far away from where we want to be, and what I’m really convinced in that where we will be.
“The fact is that this team had a relegation battle for nine months. Very turbulent season and it ended with a huge effort to stay in the league, and this is our starting point.
“It’s really very important not to blame anybody because sometimes I tell them facts and they say, ‘Oh, Glasner is complaining’.
“No, no, no. But then maybe your best midfielder (Elliot Anderson) leaves the club and now we expect we compete for European places because Oliver Glasner is in. Sorry, this is what I can’t deliver within six weeks.
“I’m no magician, no messiah, just hard work. That is what we have to do.
“It doesn’t make sense talking about seventh two years ago. It’s hard, it’s tough, but if you ignore the reality then you live in dreamland and this is never the best thing to do.”
Harvey Barnes fires Newcastle ahead against West Brom
21:05 , Jamie BraidwoodNewcastle have come from behind to lead West Brom with Harvey Barnes firing in from close range shortly after half-time.
Everton and Tottenham still lead, but Burnley, without a win this season, remain level with Bradford City.
Sergej Jakirovic happy to give Hull squad 'opportunity' in win over Stoke
21:00 , Sport staffHull manager Sergej Jakirovic called the Carabao Cup an opportunity for his squad after his side beat Stoke 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the second round.
The Tigers caused the shock of the opening weekend in the Premier League after beating Manchester United 2-0 and followed it up by reaching the third round for the first time in six years despite making 11 changes.
Jakirovic said: “We broke one more record, so now I have two penalty shootouts in a row!
“It was an opportunity for other players to play, and after Manchester United there was a lot of excitement, a lot of stress, a few problems with some players so I will use this competition to give other players a chance because you never know when we will need them.
“We used this game for [Hidemasa] Morita, for [Lucas] Gourna-Douath, for Jens [Hjerto-Dahl], also Abdulkadir [Omur], [David] Akintola, also Cody [Drameh]. For young [Lucas] Herrington it was great for adaptation to English football – intensity, dynamic, everything we need for the future.
“Akintola could have had a hat-trick but he showed a lot of effort, energy, he tried to press with Dowell and just missed at least one goal.”
Gary O'Neil hails 'humble' Marcelino Nunez after stunner in Ipswich victory
20:40 , Jamie BraidwoodBoss Gary O’Neil paid tribute to humble Ipswich midfielder Marcelino Nunez after his sensational goal inspired a 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Leicester – but admitted he wanted him to pass at first.
Sindre Walle Egeli showed Premier League quality with a smart left-footed finish to break the deadlock after 62 minutes for Ipswich before 19-year-old Olabade Aluko earned Russell Martin’s Leicester a deserved leveller five minutes later with a back-post header.
However, ex-Norwich midfielder Nunez fittingly had the final say in the meeting between two former Canaries team-mates after he rifled home off a post from outside the area in the 71st minute before he produced a wonderful 50-yard lob in stoppage time.
On the second goal by Nunez, one of only two players to start after Saturday’s 2-1 victory at home to Sunderland, O’Neil said: “I didn’t think it was the best decision to be honest!
“Neither did Chuba (Akpom) or Sindre who were clean through on goal, but as long as you can put it in the goal no one can argue, so good decision in the end!
“The last two performances Marcelino has been excellent. Two great goals, unbelievable energy that he has, never stops and unbelievably humble kid that works and works.
“You need them in your group and two big moments of quality to add to that which changed the game for us.
“He is in a good spot and need to keep him going. We need to keep him going for the weekend and it is now a big push to get everyone going on Sunday (at Manchester United).”
Mikey Moore and Dom Solanke fire Tottenham into lead over Charlton
20:33 , Jamie BraidwoodScratch that: Mikey Moore is making the most of his chance before the big-money arrivals of Omar Marmoush and Savinho and has fired Tottenham ahead against Charlton. A cracker. Moments later, Dominic Solanke gets his first of the season to double Tottenham’s lead over the Championship side.
Carabao Cup scores: Everton lead, Newcastle back level
20:29 , Jamie BraidwoodThierno Barry has scored his second goal in two games to give Everton the lead at Preston in David Moyes’s return to Deepdale
Newcastle fell behind to Isaac Price’s free-kick for West Brom, but have equalised through debutant Bazoumana Toure.
It’s goalless between Tottenham and Charlton, as well as between Bradford City and Burnley.
Birmingham skipper apologises to fans after Brentford hammering
20:20 , Sport staffBirmingham captain Christoph Klarer apologised to the fans who walked out during their chastening 6-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Brentford.
Demarai Gray’s equaliser, after Callum Wilson struck just six minutes into his full Bees debut, was the only thing St Andrew’s had to cheer all night as the visitors ran riot, with Nathan Collins scoring two headers and Aaron Hickey, Mikkel Damsgaard and Igor Thiago all on the scoresheet.
When Thiago scored the fifth supporters started streaming for the exits and those that remained made their feelings clear at the final whistle.
“It’s a really painful evening for us as a team, short in every department. They were clearly on a different level to us, a different dimension,” said Klarer.
“We were never going to match the quality but we have to put up a fight, we can’t fall apart and the goals in the first half were too easy.
“They are a team flying high but we were below our level on many aspects. It wasn’t good enough from any of us and we can only apologise to the fans.”
Today's transfer news: Jackson to Villa, Nico to Newcastle, Sarr to Liverpool?
20:01 , Jamie Braidwood- Liverpool are considering Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr as their search for a new winger continues
- Aston Villa are set to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea after agreeing a total package of £65m for the striker
- Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez by his representatives
- Newcastle have announced the signing of midfielder Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City in a £52m deal
- Manchester City have signed Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille for £85m in a record Premier League price for a teenager.
- Atletico Madrid have insisted there is “zero per cent chance” they sell Arsenal target Julian Alvarez to Barcelona this summer
Transfer news LIVE: Alvarez saga takes twist, Liverpool eye £50m-rated winger
Frank Lampard pleased to cast eye over Coventry squad
20:00 , Sport StaffFrank Lampard used Coventry’s 4-2 EFL Cup win at Plymouth to run the rule over his squad ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match at home to Hull.
Goals by Taiwo Awoniyi, Jack Rudoni, Ephron Mason-Clark and Victor Torp enabled City to ease away from their League One hosts, who levelled after 54 minutes following goals by debutant Oliver Irow and substitute Xavier Amaechi.
Lampard said: “You have always got to enjoy a win but at this point it is also looking at performance and individual and collective performances.
“We made a lot of changes and so for me it’s good to have a look at players that we didn’t start at the weekend (Friday) and are pushing for places.
“I expected it to be difficult, it’s not an easy place to come. It was a great start to the game, two really good goals, high quality goals.”
Reminder of the Carabao Cup ball numbers before tonight's draw
19:44 , Jamie BraidwoodMichael Jones is doing the live updates from Tottenham v Charlton (London derby, I guess?) and you can follow that, here.
Carabao Cup ball numbers after pre-draw
1 AFC Bournemouth (home tie)
2 Arsenal (away tie)
3 Aston Villa (away tie)
4 Crystal Palace (home tie)
5 Manchester City (home tie)
6 Manchester United (home tie)
7 Liverpool (home tie)
8 Sunderland (home tie)
9 Barnsley
10 Brentford
11 Brighton & Hove Albion
12 Coventry City
13 Fleetwood Town
14 Hull City
15 Ipswich Town
16 Leeds United
17 Leyton Orient
18 Lincoln City
19 Middlesbrough
20 Millwall
21 Norwich City
22 Peterborough United
23 Reading
24 Sheffield United
25 West Ham United
26 Wolverhampton Wanderers
27 Bradford City / Burnley
28 Newcastle United / West Bromwich Albion
29 Tottenham Hotspur / Charlton Athletic
30 Preston North End / Everton
31 Chelsea / Luton Town
32 Fulham / AFC Wimbledon
The rest of the Carabao Cup draw will take place later
19:27 , Jamie BraidwoodWe’ll get the full Carabao Cup third-round draw following the conclusion of tonight’s games. We can’t have all the excitement in one go, after all.
Arsenal and Aston Villa away... the rest at home
19:25 , Jamie BraidwoodCrystal Palace vs....
Manchester United vs....
Manchester City vs...
Sunderland vs...
..... vs Arsenal
.... vs Aston Villa
Bournemouth vs ....
Liverpool vs ....
Carabao Cup pre-draw revealed
19:24 , Jamie BraidwoodBournemouth… at HOME
Liverpool… at HOME
Carabao Cup pre-draw revealed
19:24 , Jamie BraidwoodSunderland… at HOME
Arsenal… AWAY
Aston Villa... AWAY
Carabao Cup pre-draw revealed
19:23 , Jamie BraidwoodCrystal Palace… at HOME
Manchester United… at HOME
Manchester City... at HOME
Three home draws in a row.
Carabao Cup pre-draw coming up!
19:22 , Jamie BraidwoodThe pre-draw is underway. Here are the ball numbers.
1. Bournemouth
2. Arsenal
3. Aston Villa
4. Crystal Palace
5. Manchester City
6. Manchester United
7. Liverpool
8. Sunderland
What happens in the Carabao Cup pre-draw?
19:21 , Jamie BraidwoodThis is just for the eight Premier League teams who will be playing in the Champions League or Europa League this season. So those are: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Crystal Palace.
Due to the EFL’s rules around scheduling, these teams cannot play each other in the third round of the Carabao Cup, so the pre-draw is simply to put these eight teams into place and give them either home or away ties.
The EFL states: “As Uefa competition fixtures cannot be rescheduled, and to enable the Carabao Cup to proceed within its agreed schedule without disrupting other League or domestic cup fixtures, the additional conditions will ensure that the eight clubs participating in the Champions League or Europa League cannot meet each other in Round Three of the Carabao Cup. This will mean that the teams drawn in each tie will be able to fulfil the fixture in one of the allocated weeks.”
Everton boss David Moyes on his return to Preston
19:15 , Jamie BraidwoodDavid Moyes will be looking to embark on a cup run alongside maintaining Everton’s Premier League progress and the second round sees the Scot return to Preston, where he ended his playing career before going on to manage the club.
The 63-year-old Scot reflected on learning from Sir Tom Finney during his time at Deepdale, which saw him take Preston to the play-off final in 2001 before leaving to join Everton the following year.
“It was a brilliant experience for me and I would be recommending to all the young coaches that you are better to go earn your stripes and try and find a way through the leagues than being thrown in where it is difficult at the start,” he said.
“I was really fortunate that I had been a player there, assistant manager or coach as well and when I got the job I had a little bit of knowledge of the club that maybe the players needed and it was a great learning experience. A brilliant club to go to.”
Some of tonight's Carabao Cup team news
19:07 , Jamie BraidwoodEverton make just three changes from their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend, and include the returning James Garner at Preston after his recovery from injury.
Tonight's Toffees to face @pnefc in the @Carabao_Cup! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/oS79tq1IuE
— Everton (@Everton) August 26, 2026
Tottenham have named new signing Savio on the bench against Charlton, with Matheus Fernandes making his home debut, Destiny Udogie starting and Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro back on the bench.
Our Spurs side to face Charlton! 📋
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 26, 2026
🔢 @krakenfx pic.twitter.com/yQuEVgkHbm
Newcastle offer a full competitive debut to midfielder Bazoumana Toure against West Brom and also start Nick Woltemade ahead of Yoane Wissa after the 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
How we line-up at St. James' Park this evening 👊 pic.twitter.com/On25Fw3Auy
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 26, 2026
When will the Carabao Cup third round be played?
19:00 , Mike JonesThe third round of the Carabao Cup is scheduled to take place across consecutive weeks, starting on 7 September and 14 September.
The ties will be played midweek as single-leg fixtures with the winners progressing to the fourth round.
What happens to the teams playing in Europe?
18:48 , Jamie BraidwoodThere could be NINE Premier League teams playing in Europe this season, so therefore also entering the Carabao Cup in the third round stage: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton (if they qualify for the Conference League) and Crystal Palace.
The expanded Champions League and Europa League format means the Carabao Cup third round is now played across two weeks, commencing Monday 7 September and Monday 14 September.
As the first week of the Champions League takes place in the week commencing Monday 7 September, those five Champions League teams (Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd and Aston Villa) have to play the following week.
While the three teams involved in the Europa League (Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace) play in the first week, as the Europa League starts from the week commencing Monday 14 September.
The EFL states: “As Uefa competition fixtures cannot be rescheduled, and to enable the Carabao Cup to proceed within its agreed schedule without disrupting other League or domestic cup fixtures, the additional conditions will ensure that the eight clubs participating in the Champions League or Europa League cannot meet each other in Round Three of the Carabao Cup. This will mean that the teams drawn in each tie will be able to fulfil the fixture in one of the allocated weeks.”
How can I watch the Carabao Cup draw?
18:40 , Mike JonesThe Carabao Cup third-round draw will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football following the conclusion of Preston v Everton.
Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to watch the draw live online via the Sky Go app.
Carabao Cup draw: What games are on tonight?
18:30 , Jamie BraidwoodThere are four more games tonight and another two tomorrow. David Moyes takes his Everton side back to where his managerial career started at Preston, Matthias Jaissle bids for a first competitive win as Newcastle boss at home to West Brom, while Tottenham host Charlton. To think that was almost a Championship fixture this season.
There are two games tomorrow, too, due to Sky Sports scheduling Fulham and Chelsea in their first Monday Night Football of the season. They are both at home, with games against Luton and Wimbledon kicking off in west London.
Wednesday 28 August
- Bradford City v Burnley
- Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion
- Preston North End v Everton
- Tottenham Hotspur v Charlton Athletic
Thursday 27 August
Carabao Cup draw: Last night's second-round results
18:20 , Jamie BraidwoodIt was another good away day for Leeds as they won at Nottingham Forest for the second time in four days, while Hull avoided an exit as they scraped past Stoke on penalties. Fleetwood Town are the only fourth-tier side through after thumping Shrewsbury Town, also of League Two, while Brentford were back among the goals as they thrashed Birmingham 6-1.
Northern Section
Doncaster Rovers 1–3 Middlesbrough
Barnsley 3–2 Crewe Alexandra
Blackburn Rovers 1–2 Sheffield United
Blackpool 1–4 Lincoln City
Fleetwood Town 4–0 Shrewsbury Town
Sheffield Wednesday 0–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stoke City 1–1 (4–5 p) Hull City
Nottingham Forest 0–2 Leeds United
Southern Section
Cardiff City 1−2 Norwich City
Cambridge United 0–1 Millwall
Ipswich Town 3–1 Leicester City
Plymouth Argyle 2–4 Coventry City
Southampton 1–4 West Ham United
Stevenage 0–3 Reading
Walsall 0–0(5–6p) Leyton Orient
Watford 1–5 Peterborough United
When is Carabao Cup third round draw?
18:10 , Jack RathbornThe draw for the Carabao Cup third round will take place today, Wednesday 26 August. The main draw will follow the conclusion of the second round tie between Preston and Everton which kicks off at 8pm BST, meaning the draw could start at around 10.15pm BST.
There is a pre-draw before kick-off at Deepdale, which will determine whether the Premier League sides in Europe will be home or away.
Coverage starts at 7pm BST, meaning the pre-draw is likely to take place at around 7:30pm BST.
What teams are still in the Carabao Cup? Ball numbers for third round draw
18:05 , Jack Rathborn1 AFC Bournemouth
2 Arsenal
3 Aston Villa
4 Crystal Palace
5 Manchester City
6 Manchester United
7 Liverpool
8 Sunderland
9 Barnsley
10 Brentford
11 Brighton & Hove Albion
12 Coventry City
13 Fleetwood Town
14 Hull City
15 Ipswich Town
16 Leeds United
17 Leyton Orient
18 Lincoln City
19 Middlesbrough
20 Millwall
21 Norwich City
22 Peterborough United
23 Reading
24 Sheffield United
25 West Ham United
26 Wolve rhampton Wanderers
27 Bradford City / Burnley
28 Newcastle United / West Bromwich Albion
29 Tottenham Hotspur / Charlton Athletic
30 Preston North End / Everton
31 Chelsea / Luton Town
32 Fulham / AFC Wimbledon
How will the Carabao Cup third round draw work?
18:00 , Jack RathbornPre-draw
Before the main draw, there is a pre-draw to decide if the eight Champions League and Europa League clubs will be at home or away. This part is before Preston North End’s Round Two tie against Everton on Sky Sports.
Main draw
The main draw will take place following the conclusion of Round Two tie, the first eight ties will involve those Champions League and Europa League clubs. Their home or away position will have already having been decided. They will then be drawn against a team in a separate bowl with the remaining teams in the competition – so cannot meet one another at this stage.
Following the conclusion of those eight ties being drawn, the final eight ties will be drawn as normal.
From Round Three onwards, there is no longer a divide between the Northern and Southern sections.
Good evening!
17:58 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Carabao Cup third round draw.
All of the second round ties are being played during this week with four more matches taking place tonight ahead of the draw for the third round.
Those Premier League sides who are participating in European competition will enter the tournament in this round including the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.
We’ll take you through all the updates from tonight’s matches as well as the draw itself so stick with us for all the details you’ll need.
