The Carabao Cup is heating up with Cardiff City, Fulham and Brentford booking their places in the quarter-finals this week.
Wednesday’s action features some of the big hitters, with holders Newcastle United and record winners Liverpool both in action.
Ahead of tonight’s ties, we’ve looked at the five favourites to win the 2025/26 Carabao Cup.
The five favourites to win the Carabao Cup
Newcastle United – 9/1
Newcastle ended their long wait for silverware after winning last season’s competition. A 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley saw the Magpies celebrate their first major domestic trophy since 1955.
Eddie Howe’s side are well positioned to go deep in the tournament again, ahead of their fourth-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur. With a raucous St James’ Park behind them, Newcastle will be confident of reaching the last eight.
🗣️ “There is a resolve around the squad to try and do that”
Eddie Howe discusses his memories of winning the Carabao Cup and his hope of Newcastle winning it again this season. pic.twitter.com/GknNluFHaJ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 28, 2025
Chelsea – 8/1
Enzo Maresca’s first season at Chelsea ended with silverware success. The Blues delivered on their status as overwhelming Conference League favourites to lift the trophy, before exceeding expectations with Club World Cup success in the summer.
Chelsea remain inconsistent with a youthful squad fluctuating in performances, but there’s enough talent in West London to challenge for Carabao Cup success.
Arsenal – 6/1
Arsenal are third-favourites for the trophy despite emerging as England’s most impressive outfit in the early months of the campaign.
The Gunners lead the Premier League title race, and have made a flawless start in Europe with a 100% record in the Champions League after three games. Incredibly, the North Londoners have conceded just once from open play – and three goals in total – in 13 games.
Setting the standard. pic.twitter.com/D6igenRCC5
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 28, 2025
However, Arsenal have a poor record in his competition. The club have won the EFL Cup just twice, with their most recent success in 1993. No side has lost more finals (6).
Manchester City – 5/1
In contrast, Manchester City boast a brilliant record in this competition with the EFL Cup used as a springboard to further success in recent years.
The Citizens have won this trophy six times in the last 12 seasons, including in four consecutive campaigns between 2018 and 2021. City travel to face Swansea City in the fourth round tonight.
Liverpool – 9/2
Despite disastrous league results in recent weeks, Liverpool remain the bookmakers’ favourites for Carabao Cup success.
The Reds are the record winners of this competition, lifting the trophy 10 times, and have reached the final in each of the last two seasons. Arne Slot’s side have wobbled badly of late, but the Premier League champions expect to be right among the frontrunners.
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