The Carabao Cup third round draw was simulated, with Arsenal set for a big derby and Liverpool up against a tough League One team.
Before Wednesday evening’s Carabao Cup third round draw, we ran our own simulation to see what the matchups might look like.
This draw is a bit different because the eight teams playing in this season’s Champions League and Europa League — Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Sunderland — are all put in a separate group from the other clubs.
According to the EFL’s website, this is done because the third round games happen during the same two weeks as the first Champions League and Europa League matches. Separating the teams helps make sure they can play their Carabao Cup games on different weeks than their European fixtures.
So, when the draw happens after Wednesday’s Preston North End vs. Everton second round game, the eight teams in European competition — who won’t play each other – will be drawn first. Then, the rest of the draw will be completed. Unlike rounds one and two, there are no North/South restrictions this time.
Our simulation shows a possible North London derby for Arsenal at home — but only if Spurs beat Charlton Athletic on Wednesday. Liverpool are matched with League One side Peterborough, after their big 6-1 win at Watford on Tuesday. Manchester City could face the winner of Chelsea vs. Luton, while Manchester United will play either Bradford City or Burnley.
Leeds, Brighton, Bournemouth, Hull, Brentford, and Ipswich will all play Championship teams, while Crystal Palace take on Fleetwood Town from League Two. Aston Villa will meet League One’s Barnsley, and Sunderland, who are also in Europa League, will face Reading, another third-tier side.
The last second round game is Preston North End vs. Everton, with the winner set to play Coventry City in our simulated third round.
Here’s the full Carabao Cup third round simulation:
* = Pot 1
– Arsenal* vs Tottenham Hotspur/Charlton Athletic
– Aston Villa* vs Barnsley
– Bournemouth* vs Lincoln City
– Crystal Palace* vs Fleetwood
– Liverpool* vs Peterborough
– Manchester City* vs Chelsea/Luton Town
– Manchester United* vs Bradford City/Burnley
– Sunderland* vs Reading
– Preston North End/Everton vs Coventry City
– Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Norwich City
– Fulham/AFC Wimbledon vs Leyton Orient
– Millwall vs Ipswich Town
– West Ham United vs Brentford
– Sheffield United vs Hull City
– Leeds United vs Newcastle United/West Bromwich Albion
– Middlesbrough vs Brighton and Hove Albion