When Tottenham Hotspur stunned defending Premier League champions Manchester City with a 2-1 upset in the fourth round, few expected the ripple effect it would have on the entire Carabao Cup landscape. The quarter-final draw, conducted live by Mark Chapman at Sky Sports’ studios just after 10:30 PM GMT on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, delivered not just matchups—but drama, rematches, and a renewed sense of urgency for clubs chasing silverware. The four ties, all scheduled for the week beginning Monday, December 15, 2025, feel less like random pairings and more like a narrative written by football’s most unpredictable scriptwriter.
Spurs vs United: A Revenge Match With Stakes
Tottenham Hotspur will host Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a clash that’s already been brewing since September. That’s when Spurs thrashed United 3-0 at Old Trafford under then-manager Erik ten Hag—a result that now feels like ancient history. Ten Hag was sacked on Monday, October 27, 2025, and replaced by interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who guided United to a 5-2 demolition of Leicester City to reach the last eight. The emotional weight here is palpable. For Spurs, it’s about proving they’re not just a mid-table pretender but a genuine cup threat. For United, it’s redemption. And for fans? It’s a chance to see if van Nistelrooy can reignite the club’s soul before the January window opens."It is important to win and go through the cup," said Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham’s captain, after the City win. "When you play a great team like City you always want to win—I’m proud of the boys." That pride is now being tested against a United side with nothing to lose and everything to prove.
London Derby Redux: Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Another London rivalry returns to the spotlight as Arsenal welcomes Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, who crushed Preston North End 3-0, are in fine form, but Palace aren’t just lucky to be here—they stunned Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park, a result that sent shockwaves through the Championship side’s camp. This is the third time in two seasons these two have met in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, and Palace’s resilience is becoming a pattern. They’ve lost to Arsenal in the league this season, but cup football is different. Faster. Meaner. More personal.For Mikel Arteta, this is a chance to add another trophy to his growing legacy. For Palace’s Patrick Vieira, it’s about proving his squad belongs on the same stage as the Premier League elite. The stakes? Not just pride—this is a direct path to Wembley, and a potential Europa Conference League spot.
Newcastle’s Resilience: Howe’s Magpies vs Brentford
Newcastle United are on a mission. For the third year in a row, they’ve reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals—and this time, they did it with a statement. A 2-0 win over Chelsea at St. James’ Park, just days after a demoralizing 3-1 Premier League loss at Stamford Bridge, showed character. Alexander Isak opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after a defensive blunder by Axel Disasi. Three minutes later, Disasi turned Joe Willock’s header into his own net. Pure chaos. Pure Newcastle."We needed a performance and a result," said head coach Eddie Howe. "I thought it was hallmark us at our best—front foot, energy, quality, attitude. A massive win."
They’ll face Brentford, who’ve quietly become one of the most consistent cup performers in recent years. Beating them won’t be easy. But for Newcastle, this isn’t just about silverware—it’s about momentum. A semi-final run could be the spark that lifts them out of their Premier League slump.
Liverpool vs Southampton: The Holders’ Road to Defense
The reigning champions, Liverpool, are the tournament’s most decorated side with ten titles. Their 3-2 win over Brighton on October 29, 2025, was gritty, not glamorous—typical Klopp football. Now, they travel to Southampton, a club that’s defied expectations all season. While details of Southampton’s fourth-round win remain scarce, their cup pedigree is undeniable: they reached the semi-finals in 2023 and have a knack for upsetting giants.This tie could be the most unpredictable. Liverpool’s squad rotation in cup games often leaves gaps. Southampton’s home crowd at St Mary’s is electric. And if the Saints can hold on for 90 minutes? A penalty shootout might just be the stage for their greatest moment in years.
Why This Matters Beyond the Cup
The Carabao Cup, officially the English Football League Cup, is more than a consolation prize. The winner earns a Europa Conference League spot—a lifeline for clubs outside the top six. For Southampton, it’s a shot at European football after years of relegation battles. For Newcastle, it’s validation after years of instability. For United, it’s a chance to reclaim relevance under new leadership.And for fans? It’s football at its most raw. No Champions League pressure. No global spotlight. Just 90 minutes, one shot, and everything on the line.
What’s Next?
The quarter-finals will be played between December 15 and December 19, 2025. Exact dates and kick-off times will be confirmed within 48 hours. The semi-finals, two-legged, are scheduled for January 2026, with the final at Wembley on Sunday, March 16, 2026. Whoever lifts the trophy will join an elite group: only Liverpool (10), Manchester United (6), and Manchester City (5) have won it more than twice in the last 30 years.One thing’s certain: this year’s Carabao Cup isn’t just about who’s strong. It’s about who wants it most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Carabao Cup winner qualify for European competition?
The winner of the Carabao Cup earns a spot in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League for the following season. This applies regardless of their league position. For example, if Liverpool wins again but finishes outside the top six, they’ll still enter the Conference League via the cup route—bypassing the need to qualify through the Premier League.
Why is Manchester United playing under Ruud van Nistelrooy instead of Erik ten Hag?
Erik ten Hag was sacked on Monday, October 27, 2025, following a string of poor results and mounting pressure from fans and media. Ruud van Nistelrooy, a former United striker and current assistant coach, was named interim manager. He has no prior head coaching experience at a top-flight club, making this his biggest challenge yet—especially with a high-stakes cup tie against Tottenham just weeks away.
Has any team ever won the Carabao Cup after being eliminated from the Premier League top four?
Yes. In 2022-23, Manchester United won the Carabao Cup despite finishing seventh in the Premier League. Similarly, Newcastle United lifted the trophy in 2021-22 while finishing 11th. The cup remains one of the few realistic paths to silverware for clubs outside the elite.
What’s the significance of Newcastle reaching the quarter-finals for the third straight year?
It’s the first time since 2006-2008 that Newcastle have reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in three consecutive seasons. Under Eddie Howe, the club has developed a distinct identity: resilient, high-energy, and tactically disciplined. Reaching the semis this year would be their deepest run since 2013, when they lost to Swansea in the final.
Who holds the record for most Carabao Cup wins?
Liverpool holds the record with ten titles, most recently in the 2024-25 season. Manchester United are second with six, followed by Manchester City with five. The competition has been dominated by these three clubs since the 1980s, though underdogs like Swansea (2013) and Sheffield Wednesday (1990) have pulled off surprise wins.
Why wasn’t Cardiff City in the quarter-final draw?
Cardiff City were eliminated in the third round by Wolverhampton Wanderers, losing 2-1 on October 22, 2025. While they were mentioned in early draw speculation, only the eight fourth-round winners—Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Brentford, Liverpool, and Southampton—qualified for the quarter-final draw. The draw was limited to those eight teams.
