Carabao Cup third-round draw: When it is and why certain clubs cannot play each other

The Carabao Cup enters its third-round stage on Wednesday night, August 26, with a notable group of 32 teams set to participate. Among these teams, nine Premier League clubs join at this stage due to their involvement in European competitions. These clubs include Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, and Sunderland.

This third-round draw could produce intriguing matches between Premier League sides and teams from lower divisions such as the Championship, League One, or League Two.

However, a significant restriction exists for the draw - the eight Premier League clubs involved in either the Champions League or Europa League cannot face each other in the third round. This restriction is in place due to fixture congestion and scheduling requirements. Brighton, despite their participation in European competitions, remains subject to different rules as their Conference League campaign does not commence until October.

The third-round ties, once drawn, will be played across two weeks starting from September 7. The order and television schedules for these matches will be determined after the draw itself. For Premier League clubs, participating in the Carabao Cup offers a chance to gain silverware and provide valuable playing time for squad members and younger players. For lower-division clubs, the prospect of hosting a top-tier Premier League team is not only a significant sporting occasion but also a potential financial boon.