Port Vale host Arsenal in Carabao Cup third round as Europe action also heats up

Port Vale will host Arsenal in the Carabao Cup third round at Vale Park on Wednesday night, with the Gunners hoping to begin their cup campaign with a positive result away to the League One club. The kickoff is scheduled for 20:00 BST, a night that also features Real Betis welcoming Nottingham Forest in the Europa League. In addition to Vale’s tie, the other third-round fixtures include Huddersfield Town versus Manchester City, Newcastle United against Bradford City and Tottenham Hotspur taking on Doncaster Rovers, all occurring at 19:45 BST.

Vale Park is expected to be electric, with supporters hopeful their club can spring a shock against one of the country’s top sides. Port Vale have shown signs of improvement in League One after a rocky stretch, and their players will be keen to translate that momentum to a fixture that represents a rare chance to face a member of the Premier League’s elite at home. The mood around the ground has been buoyant, and while the Valiants face an obvious uphill task, there is a sense that a big performance could spark a memorable night in the club’s history.

Arsenal travel with a strong squad and a track record of success in cup competitions, but Wednesday’s tie is often viewed as one where Arteta might rotate his selection to keep players fresh for upcoming fixtures. The Gunners’ leadership has emphasized the importance of silverware this season, and while they remain heavy favorites to advance, they are well aware of the risk posed by a motivated Vale side at home. The potential for an upset is the enduring appeal of cup football, and Arsenal will be mindful of avoiding complacency from the outset.

In the wider competition, attention on the night is split between domestic cups and European action. The Carabao Cup has already delivered drama this season, with last week’s third-round action producing a string of surprising results and memorable moments. Liverpool needed a late winner to progress at Southampton, with Hugo Ekitiké scoring the decisive goal before being sent off for a second-booking celebration, a moment that drew laughter and disbelief in equal measure. Everton were knocked out by Wolves as the round’s upsets continued, while Chelsea, Wrexham, Wycombe, Cardiff and Brighton also advanced to the fourth round. The blend of big clubs and underdogs remains a defining feature of this stage of the competition.

Meanwhile, Real Betis vs Nottingham Forest stands out in the Europa League lineup, as Forest return to European competition for the first time in nearly 30 years. The match adds a continental layer to a night already packed with high-stakes football, and Forest will be eager to translate domestic form into a strong performance on the road in Spain. The fixture is part of a scheduling block that reflects how clubs balance cup ties with broader campaigns, including league play and European fixtures that have resumed after a lengthy absence from the continent’s stage.

Nottingham Forest’s return to Europe is a milestone that underscores the evolving landscape of the competition, and both sets of players will be aware of the history attached to such occasions. For Vale, the evening is as much about pride and exposure as it is about progression; for Arsenal, it is another rung on a ladder toward domestic cup glory in a season where the squad depth is widely regarded as a major asset. The night promises a mix of tactical intrigue, potential upsets and the sort of atmosphere that makes cup football distinctive. As updates roll in from Vale Park and across Europe, fans will be watching closely to see which sides lay down markers in this round.

Updates from the Carabao Cup and the Europa League will continue as events unfold at Vale Park and in Spain, with coverage tracking the key moments and team news as they come.