Carabao Cup fourth-round draw: Grimsby Town among 16 in hat as big clubs await fate
Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal set for potential ties as Grimsby Town advances to the fourth round
The Carabao Cup fourth-round draw was completed on Wednesday, with 16 clubs confirmed to feature in the next stage of the competition. Grimsby Town were among the teams drawn in the fourth round after history-making wins over Manchester United in August and Sheffield Wednesday in the previous round, joining a slate that includes Premier League clubs and several sides from the lower divisions. The teams in the hat are Grimsby, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Swansea City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Cardiff City, Fulham, Chelsea, Wycombe Wanderers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wrexham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal or Port Vale.
Wednesday's coverage from Daily Mail Sport's live blog tracked the build-up to the draw, noting the 16 teams in the hat and the suspense around fixtures involving Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal as the competition moves toward the later rounds. Grimsby Town’s run has captured attention since they beat Manchester United in the second round and then edged Sheffield Wednesday in the third, and their presence in the fourth round continues to energize supporters. The matchups will be confirmed in the coming days, with Arsenal facing a potential Port Vale date depending on the outcome of the remaining ties.
The fourth-round pairing process is the next step in a competition that still provides a meaningful route to silverware for clubs outside the Premier League’s traditional powerhouses. Winners advance to the quarterfinals and beyond, with several fixtures presenting opportunities for upsets and blockbuster clashes in the autumn schedule. Alongside Grimsby Town, teams such as Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United remain in contention, alongside a mix of mid-table clubs and ambitious challengers.
Fans and clubs alike are mindful of the schedule, given simultaneous commitments in the league and other cup competitions. The Carabao Cup has a history of surprising results, and the fourth round represents a chance for smaller clubs to test themselves against elite opposition, while bigger clubs seek a clear path toward silverware and a potential domestic trophy in a congested season.
As the official fixtures are announced, the broader narrative of the competition continues to unfold, with supporters watching for potential dream ties, replay scenarios and the timing of matches that could shape teams’ campaigns in the months ahead.
