Carabao Cup third round: Preview & predictions

The season may only be in its infancy but we are already into the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Not everyone is a fan of the competition - cough, Jurgen Klopp, cough - but at this early stage, each momentum-building win is vital.

For clubs lower down the pyramid, the Carabao Cup can also provide some glitzy away days and money-spinning visits from some of the country's more illustrious sides.

This campaign is no different and here's everything you need to know about all 16 ties...


Manchester City vs Wycombe

City are looking for a fifth straight Carabao Cup triumph | Clive Rose/Getty Images

When is kick off? Tuesday 21 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Etihad Stadium
What TV channel is it on? ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Robert Jones

Manchester City will rotate heavily against League One Wycombe - not that it will make much difference to the one-sided nature of the game.

Gareth Ainsworth will be aiming to avoid a humilation like the 9-0 defeat Burton Albion suffered in the 2019 semi-finals. As they are usually pretty good at frustrating teams, they should have some success - but not that much.

Manchester City 4-0 Wycombe


Watford vs Stoke City

When is kick off? Tuesday 21 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Vicarage Road
What TV channel is it on? BBC 5 Live Final Score (UK)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Tony Harrington

Both of these teams have bigger fish to fry this season with Watford looking to preserve their Premier League status and Stoke City hoping to return to the big time. Neither side will be too fussed about going out then.

As Watford did the double over the Potters last season we are expecting them to progress to the next round.

Watford 2-1 Stoke City


Fulham vs Leeds United

When is kick off? Tuesday 21 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Craven Cottage
What TV channel is it on? ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Tim Robinson

This looks like an interesting tie on paper with Fulham riding high at the top of the Championship and Leeds looking eminently beatable so far this season.

Expect plenty of goals in west London.

Fulham 3-2 Leeds United


Wigan Athletic vs Sunderland

When is kick off? Tuesday 21 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? DW Stadium
What TV channel is it on? BBC 5 Live Final Score (UK)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Leigh Doherty

Its first vs second in League One, only there's no points to play for. Instead, a place in the Carabao Cup fourth round is on the line.

Wigan have pedigree in this competition, knocking Manchester City out back in 2018 and they also have home advantage. This should be enough to see them win.

Wigan Athletic 1-0 Sunderland


Burnley vs Rochdale

When is kick off? Tuesday 21 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Turf Moor
What TV channel is it on? BBC 5 Live Final Score (UK)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Geoff Eltringham

Burnley's recent record in cup competitions has been poor, largely because Sean Dyche has tended to shuffle his pack in the Carabao and FA Cups.

Expect to see more of the same on Tuesday, though the Clarets should still get over the line without major difficulties.

Burnley 2-0 Rochdale


Norwich City vs Liverpool

Liverpool are looking back to their best | Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

When is kick off? Tuesday 21 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Carrow Road
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports (UK), ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Darren England

Norwich's defending has been horrific so far this season and they conceded three against the Reds at home last month.

They will be facing a very different Liverpool team on Tuesday, but as Daniel Farke will likely be rotating himself, expect a pretty similar outcome.

Norwich 1-3 Liverpool


Preston vs Cheltenham

When is kick off? Tuesday 21 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Deepdale
What TV channel is it on? BBC 5 Live Final Score (UK)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Dean Whitestone

Preston will be hoping to boost morale after an indifferent start to the Championship season by defeating Cheltenham on Tuesday, who are currently going well in League One.

Top scorer Emil Riis Jakobsen - who already has six goals this season - will be key to their chances of success.

Preston 2-0 Cheltenham


Sheffield United vs Southampton

When is kick off? Tuesday 21 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Bramall Lane
What TV channel is it on? BBC 5 Live Final Score (UK)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? John Brooks

After a nightmarish start Sheffield United are finally picking up some results in the Championship and they will be quietly confident of causing an upset against top-tier Southampton.

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl will be making plenty of changes after their draining 0-0 draw with Manchester City on Saturday, giving the Blades extra belief that they can get the job done.

Sheffield United 3-2 Southampton


Brentford vs Oldham Athletic

When is kick off? Tuesday 21 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Brentford Community Stadium
What TV channel is it on? BBC 5 Live Final Score (UK)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Simon Hooper

Brentford are on a high after securing their first ever Premier League win away from home at the weekend, which is not good news for Oldham.

The Latics are bottom of the pile in the EFL and have required penalties to get past their last two opponents in this competition. Can they repeat the trick on Tuesday? Probably not, no.

Brentford 5-0 Oldham


QPR vs Everton

When is kick off? Tuesday 21 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium
What TV channel is it on? ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Kevin Friend

This has 'potential upset' written all over it. Everton will be low on confidence following their drubbing at the hands of Aston Villa and QPR will be looking to take full advantage in front of a raucous home crowd.

We think they might just do it as well...

QPR 2-2 Everton (QPR to win on penalties)


Brighton vs Swansea

When is kick off? Wednesday 22 September, 19:30 (BST)
Where is the match being played? The Amex
What TV channel is it on? BBC 5 Live Final Score (UK)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Michael Salisbury

Brighton boss Graham Potter will be facing his former side on Wednesday fresh off a somewhat fortuitous victory over Leicester at the weekend.

After a great season last time out, the Swans are stuttering this campaign and Brighton should see them off at home.

Brighton 3-0 Swansea City


Millwall vs Leicester City

Leicester had two goals disallowed on Sunday | Robin Jones/Getty Images

When is kick off? Wednesday 22 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? The New Den
What TV channel is it on? BBC 5 Live Final Score (UK)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Andrew Madley

Millwall dumped Leicester out of the FA Cup in 2017 with Ben Chilwell confiding that he was too scared to take throw-ins in front of the intimidating home crowd after the game.

These days, the Foxes have much more strength in depth so getting the better of their lower-league opponents should be doable.

Millwall 1-3 Leicester


Wolves vs Tottenham

When is kick off? Wednesday 22 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Molineux
What TV channel is it on? ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Peter Bankes

Just a month removed from their meeting in the Premier League, Wolves and Tottenham face off in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Spurs already have the albatross of Conference League football around their necks this season, so this is a competition Nuno Espirito Santo could do without. This might give Wolves, who haven't started the campaign brilliantly, the encouragement they need to win.

Wolves 2-1 Tottenham


Man Utd vs West Ham

When is kick off? Wednesday 22 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Old Trafford
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports (UK), ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports (UK), Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Jonathan Moss

West Ham will not have to wait long to get their revenge on Manchester United after the Red Devils subjected them to a 2-1 loss on Sunday.

There was late penalty drama in that one and we think there might be again, with this one set to go all the way to a shootout.

Man Utd 1-1 West Ham (Man Utd win on penalties)


Arsenal vs AFC Wimbledon

When is kick off? Wednesday 22 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Emirates Stadium
What TV channel is it on? BBC 5 Live Final Score (UK)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Jarred Gillett

When Wimbledon fans cobbled together to form a phoenix club in 2002, ties against the likes of Arsenal would have seemed like a pipedream.

Less than two decades later the Dons are set to travel to north London for one of the most glamourous games in their short history. It's probably not going to go well, though.

Arsenal 4-1 AFC Wimbledon


Chelsea vs Aston Villa

Chelsea look imperious this season | Visionhaus/Getty Images

When is kick off? Wednesday 22 September, 19:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Stamford Bridge
What TV channel is it on? ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? Carabao Cup on Quest TV (UK)
Referee? Graham Scott

Thomas Tuchel recently revealed his confidence in Chelsea's ability to compete on multiple front this season. His side's capacity to do just that will be tested scrupulously on Wednesday when Aston Villa come to town, four days on from a great win over in-form Everton.

Although Villa will make it difficult, the Blues' fringe players will be desperate to impress and should have enough to get over the line.

Chelsea 3-1 Aston Villa


Source : 90min