By The third-round draw for the Carabao Cup has set up some intriguing fixtures, with Liverpool set to kick off their title defence against West Ham at Anfield. The draw, which utilized two separate bowls to accommodate the expanded Champions League and Europa League schedules, ensured no clashes with European fixtures. Bowl One featured teams that qualified for European competitions last season, including Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Manchester United, while Bowl Two contained the remaining 26 teams.
The six European clubs were first drawn to decide home or away matches, followed by the remaining fixtures. Among the standout matchups, Manchester City will host Watford, Arsenal will meet Bolton for the first time since 2012, and Manchester United will face Barnsley, their first encounter in 15 years.
Chelsea will take on League Two side Barrow, while another League Two team, AFC Wimbledon, will challenge Newcastle. Aston Villa and Tottenham will travel to League One’s Wycombe and Coventry of the Championship, respectively. The third-round fixtures are scheduled to take place over the weeks commencing September 16 and September 23.
