Carabao Cup Round Four: All you need to know as 16 teams battle for eight quarter final spots

The Carabao Cup takes centre stage this week as the remaining 16 teams look to book their place in the final eight, whereas only eight of them will be able to make passage into the next round.

Carabao Cup trophy. (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Twelve top-flight teams but only seven at maximum can book their place in the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup this season as a more than a couple lockhorns in this round.

Tuesday Fixtures

Arsenal vs Leeds United

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are unbeaten in each of their last six meetings with Leeds United in all competitions, winning four in the process. They are currently on a run of six games without a loss and will be hoping to put up a performance enough for a place in the next round.

Leeds United have started the season poorly and it got worse during the weekend 1-1 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wonderers, as star player Raphinha was withdraw due to what looked like a serious injury.

Good new for them though as the player confirmed in a social media activity that he is fine and the injury isn't any serious as earlier feared. Marcelo Bielsa will be hopeful that the Brazilian will return in time for the visit to the Emirates.

Granit Xhaka is out until the new years for the host while Kieran Tierney missed the win against Aston Villa due to a bruised ankle and after his impressive game the last time, Nuno Tavares might keep his place in the starting XI.

Verdict: Arsenal are expected to get the win against a side who have not been convincing this season.

Chelsea vs Southampton

Coming up against the Thomas Tuchel side now is not the wish of any team. Southampton will feel hard done for getting Chelsea in the draw and having to play away from home.

The teams have met in the Premier league this season and Ralf Hasenhuttl side put up great resistance until they went a man down, and subsequently losing the game 3-1 at the Saint Mary's.

Knowing the kind of opponent they face, Thomas Tuchel will be mindful of his selection as he will not want to underestimate a side who were unbeaten in three games against Chelsea prior to losing 3-1 earlier this month.

Verdict : Chelsea notwithstanding should be able get the job done at the Stamford Bridge and move closer to a competition they last won in 2015.

Queens Park Rangers vs Sunderland

League one side, Sunderland had lost one and drawn one in their last 14 games in all competitions before the weekend shocking home loss to Charlton. However, if that was to be just a bad day in a beautiful run, they might just fancy themselves going one better in this competition.

They travel to the Kiyan Price Foundation Stadium to lockhorns with Queens Park Rangers, who eliminated Premier League side Everton and currently sit seventh on the Championship table. The host did not only brag superiority of being in a higher league but also have history on their side.

QPP have won four and lost three of their last seven meetings with Sunderland but a lot has changed since the last time they met in a Championships match in 2018, with the visitors now relegated to the League One.

Verdict: Qeens Park are slight favourite to progress to the quarters but Sunderland will not be pushovers. A tough contest but the home side should do enough to book ticket to the next round.

Wednesday Fixtures

Burnley vs Tottenham Hotspur

Burnley host Tottheham in another all Premier League round four clash. Without a league win this season, Burnley have tried to remain in the competition with shootout win over Newcastle and a 4-1 win over League Two side Rochdale.

Tottheham will be looking to halt that run away from home although, themselves have not been at their best form and come into the game on the back of two straight loss.

However, against a Burnley side whom they have dominated in each of their last four meetings, Nuno Santos will hope they can return to winning ways in Wednesday.

Ben Mee is in isolation for Covid reasons and is a doubt for the game. Matt Doherty is also a doubt for the visitors, same as Ryan Sessegnon.

Verdict: Tottheham Hotspur to progress to the quarters.

Leicester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Leicester City have a chance for revenge when they welcome Brighton to the King Power Stadium on Wednesday. The visitors beat Leicester in a Premier League clash earlier this season in a weird circumstance as The Foxes had two goals ruled out by the VAR.

Brighton have made the better start to the season but with a place in the quarter finals at stake, the outcome is not always predictable. Leicester City are recently coming around, winning each of their last three games, giving them needed confidence ahead of Wednesday night game.

Verdict: Home advantage could be what Leicester City need to progress. Added to the form of their strikers, Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka, who both are sure to get the nod on the night, they could prove a handful for a defence that conceded four in the weekend.

Preston vs Liverpool

The top-flight giants and inform Reds take on the Championship strugglers. This give Jürgen Klopp thé avenue to field fringe players and keep them ready ahead of time they will be needed, when their African stars leave for the Cup of Nations.

Verdict: Liverpool are favourites to go on to the next round.

Stoke City vs Brentford

Premier League newcomers, Brentford have enjoyed a good start to the season but unfortunately, their last two games against Chelsea and Leicester City have proven too big, even if they had been the better side in both contests, they ended up on the losing side.

A Cup match against a Championships side presents a good opportunity for them to return to winning ways and get their season back on track. Stoke themselves have lost each of their last three games and have disappointingly lost the fight at the top of the standing.

Verdict: Brentford’s investment in the summer will give them the edge on their return to the stadium where they lost 3-2 in the 2020-21 Championship season.

Manchester City vs West Ham United

West Ham United are responsible for the elimination of Manchester United in the last roud and return to the same City to face their city rivals for a place in the next round.

Bad news for the Hammers is the history not on their side as they have won just two of their last 25 games against City, losing 20 times. Their last win at the Ethiad came in a 2-1 league win 2015.

Verdict: Manchester City are not expected to have it easy as West Ham United have been pretty much impressive this season. However, this competition seems very important for Pep Guardiola side as they have won five of the last six titles and they will not be bowing out this time in the round four, at the Ethiad.

Afolabi Kehinde Hassan