Liverpool, under the Dutchman Arne Slot, will kick their Carabao Cup title defense off with a tough home tie against West Ham United in the third round as an all-Premier League clash. They enter the competition along with other Premier League clubs involved in European tournaments, including last season’s champions Manchester United, who will face Barnsley at Old Trafford.
Chelsea, defeated by Liverpool in last season’s final, have been drawn at home to League Two outfit Barrow at Stamford Bridge. This will be the first time that the BLUEBIRDS have featured in the third round since 1967. Arsenal, not domestic cup winners for 31 years, have been handed an easy start to the campaign as they welcome Bolton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Eight-time winners Manchester City have been drawn at home to Watford, now managed by former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley. AFC Wimbledon, who pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the second round with their defeat of Premier League club Ipswich Town, host Newcastle United in a severe test.
Ties in the third round will be staggered across two weeks in September, with the majority of the fixtures in the week commencing September 16 and clubs involved in European competition playing their matches in the week commencing September 23 due to scheduling conflicts with UEFA gameweeks.
Carabao Cup Third Round Draw – 2024/25:
- Liverpool vs West Ham United
- Manchester City vs Watford
- Arsenal vs Bolton Wanderers
- Manchester United vs Barnsley
- Wycombe Wanderers vs Aston Villa
- Coventry City vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Walsall vs Leicester City
- Brentford vs Leyton Orient
- Blackpool vs Sheffield Wednesday
- Preston North End vs Fulham
- Everton vs Southampton
- Queen’s Park Rangers vs Crystal Palace
- Stoke City vs Fleetwood Town
- Brighton & Hove Albion vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
- AFC Wimbledon vs Newcastle United
- Chelsea vs Barrow
