Fans say Carabao Cup third round draw is 'FIXED' as 'pre

THE Carabao Cup third round draw is set to include a “pre-draw” only featuring the eight teams competing in the Champions League and Europa League.

And some fans are unhappy with the format, making unfounded claims that the draw is “fixed”.

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The pre-draw is set to take place ahead of Everton‘s tie at Preston.

Carabao Cup chiefs confirmed: “Before the main draw, there will be a pre-draw to decide whether each of the eight Champions League and Europa League Clubs will be at home or away.”

This means that Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace cannot draw each other until round four.

Brighton, meanwhile, are NOT part of the pre-draw, as the Conference League does not get underway until October.

The main draw will take place after Preston vs Everton, with the EFL confirming: “In the main draw, to be conducted after the Round Two tie, the first eight ties will involve those Champions League and Europa League Clubs, with their home or away position already having been decided, and each will be drawn against a club from a separate bowl containing the remaining teams.

“Once those eight ties have been drawn, the final eight ties will be drawn as normal.”

The change first came into effect during the 2024-25 season, when Uefa revamped their competitions to include a 36-team “Swiss model” league phase.

Extra games for European sides meant that certain Carabao Cup ties could create scheduling conflicts.

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The third round is set to be split between the weeks commencing September 7 and September 14.

With the Champions League kicking off during the first of those weeks, and the Europa League the second, those clubs drawing each other in the Carabao Cup would leave them without an available fixture slot in which to play the game.

Despite the clear explanation, some fans were left fuming.

One cried on X: “Elaborate way of pretending its not fixed.”

And a second fumed: “Bulls***, paving the easy route for the European clubs. Sick of football man”.

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A third blasted: “Pure corruption……no wonder we don’t get any surprises in this competition anymore….sponsors want the big teams in the final….games gone”.

And another added: “Better still, just put the top 8 Premiership teams in the QF…. and we can all save wasting our time.”

Having not qualified for Europe this term, both Chelsea and Tottenham have entered the competition at the second round stage.

Spurs are set to host Charlton on Wednesday, while Chelsea welcome Luton 24 hours later.