Carabao Cup Fixtures on 28 October: Liverpool Face Chelsea in Blockbuster Tie

The Carabao Cup fourth round continues on Wednesday, 28 October, with five matches featuring several of England’s biggest clubs. Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield in the standout fixture, while Manchester City welcome Brighton, Aston Villa travel to Bournemouth, Fulham face Crystal Palace and Sunderland take on Brentford.

All five ties offer a place in the quarter-finals, with the competition moving closer to its decisive stages. The English Football League (EFL) has confirmed the fixtures and kick-off times, with the Liverpool-Chelsea clash also selected for free-to-air television coverage in the UK.

The English Football League

+1

Carabao Cup fixtures for Wednesday, 28 October

The following matches are scheduled for Wednesday evening, with all kick-off times listed in UK local time.

The matches are part of the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, also known as the EFL Cup. The winners will advance to the quarter-finals, scheduled for the week commencing 14 December.

The English Football League

+1

Liverpool vs Chelsea: the headline tie at Anfield

Liverpool’s meeting with Chelsea is the most prominent fixture of the evening. The two clubs meet at Anfield in a knockout match where a place in the last eight is at stake.

The game also carries an additional storyline: Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield to face his former club, according to the Premier League’s preview of the fourth-round ties.

Premier League

For both sides, the League Cup provides another opportunity to compete for domestic silverware. With only one team able to progress, the result will depend on performance on the night rather than league position alone.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm UK time. In the United Kingdom, it is listed for coverage on Sky Sports Football and ITV, making it the most accessible televised fixture of the evening.

The English Football League

Manchester City vs Brighton: a demanding test for both sides

Manchester City host Brighton & Hove Albion in a tie scheduled for 7:30 pm. The fixture brings together two Premier League sides competing for a place in the quarter-finals.

City will have home advantage, but Brighton present a challenging opponent. Cup football leaves little room for mistakes, particularly when a single result determines which team continues in the competition.

The earlier kick-off also makes this match the first of Wednesday’s five ties.

Bournemouth vs Aston Villa: an important domestic test

AFC Bournemouth welcome Aston Villa at 7:45 pm in another all-Premier League encounter.

Both clubs will be looking to turn their performance on the night into a quarter-final place. Bournemouth’s home advantage could prove useful, while Villa will aim to handle the pressure of an away knockout match.

With several strong teams still involved, progressing through the fourth round would keep their hopes of winning the trophy alive.

Fulham vs Crystal Palace: a London rivalry in the cup

Fulham host Crystal Palace at 7:45 pm in a meeting between two London clubs.

The fixture offers both sides a route into the quarter-finals without the need to navigate a two-legged tie. That makes the result particularly significant, as one strong performance could determine their immediate future in the competition.

The home crowd will be an advantage for Fulham, but Palace will have the opportunity to disrupt their plans and secure progression on the road.

Sunderland vs Brentford: a chance to reach the last eight

Sunderland face Brentford at the Stadium of Light at 7:45 pm.

The match gives both teams an opportunity to move one step closer to the final at Wembley. With several fixtures taking place simultaneously, the outcome could also help shape the balance of the quarter-final lineup.

Neither team can afford to underestimate the challenge. In a knockout competition, concentration and efficiency in front of goal can be just as important as overall possession.

Where to watch the Carabao Cup matches

The EFL has confirmed that all fourth-round ties are available live to viewers in the UK. The broadcast arrangements for Wednesday’s matches are as follows.

The English Football League

+1

Streaming availability and subscription requirements depend on the service. Viewers outside the UK should check local listings or the competition’s official international broadcast information.

For the latest updates, consult the official EFL Carabao Cup page.

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw: what happens next?

The fourth round determines which clubs remain in contention for the trophy. According to the EFL, the quarter-final draw is scheduled to take place on Wednesday after the Liverpool-Chelsea match has concluded.

The quarter-final ties are scheduled for the week commencing 14 December.

The English Football League

This means Wednesday’s results will help complete the next stage of the competition, with supporters set to learn the quarter-final pairings after the final whistle at Anfield.

Our verdict: Liverpool-Chelsea takes centre stage

Liverpool against Chelsea is the standout match on a busy night of Carabao Cup football. The meeting combines two major English clubs with the immediate pressure of a knockout tie, while the other fixtures offer their own opportunities for teams hoping to reach the last eight.

Manchester City, Brighton, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Brentford will also be looking to progress. With five ties scheduled across the evening, the fourth round promises an important step towards the competition’s quarter-finals.

For supporters, the key is to follow the confirmed kick-off times and use official broadcast information to find the relevant coverage.

Official Sources

1. English Football League (EFL) — Carabao Cup Round Four schedule confirmed
https://www.efl.com/news/2026/september/18/carabao-cup-round-four-schedule-confirmed/

2. English Football League (EFL) — How to Watch every Carabao Cup game on Sky Sports this week
https://www.efl.com/news/2026/october/27/how-to-watch-every-carabao-cup-game-on-sky-sports-this-week/

3. English Football League (EFL) — Carabao Cup Quarter-Final draw details confirmed
https://www.efl.com/news/2026/october/26/carabao-cup-quarter-final-draw-details-confirmed/

4. Premier League — EFL Cup fourth round: Premier League clubs’ fixtures and results
https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4698490/

5. English Football League (EFL) — Carabao Cup official competition page
https://www.efl.com/competitions/carabao-cup/