Carabao Cup: Holders get Spurs, Arsenal hosts Brighton and City off to Wales

Carabao Cup Round 4: Newcastle host Spurs, Arsenal face Brighton, Liverpool meet Palace, while underdogs Grimsby eye another upset vs Brentford.

Carabao Cup holders Newcastle have been handed a fourth round fixture against Tottenham at the St. James's Park while Arsenal would host Brighton and Chelsea travel to Wolves. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

The Carabao Cup represents a golden opportunity for silverware, and, despite the competition being the easiest to win by certain measures, it’s not going to be a measure of success for some clubs.

Newcastle United won the Carabao Cup last season, and it was a monumental achievement, but it was never going to be the same for Liverpool, whom the Magpies beat in the final at Wembley, or for Manchester City or Arsenal, considering the investment in those squads.

The League Cup this year has entered the fourth round, where 16 teams fight for quarter-final tickets, and 11 Premier League clubs are still in the running. The tale of Grimsby continues in the tournament; after dumping Manchester United out of the competition, the fourth-tier club is now in the round of 16.

Grimsby has been handed a home game against Brentford in the fourth round, and it’s another opportunity for them to claim the scalp of another Premier League side. All eyes would be on this one, with the Bees also eyeing the next stage.

Manchester City bagged a trip to Wales as they take on Championship side Swansea. The Citizens have a great record against Swansea, and with Phil Foden getting back to his best, he would seek to reenact his performances against the Welsh side once again.

Fulham is another Premier League side who is away to a lower league side in the round of 16 as Marco Silva’s side travels to Wycombe. Hollywood side Wrexham hosts Cardiff City in what could mean so much to the hosts as they continue to work their way up to the top flight.

The rest of the fixtures are all Premier League affairs. Wolves will be home to Chelsea, while holders Newcastle will host Tottenham Hotspur. The Magpies’ and Spurs’ fixture is arguably the biggest of the round; who wants it more?

Bad news trailed Liverpool’s win over Southampton. From Hugo Ekitike being sent off to young defender Leoni tearing his ACL, the Kops will face Crystal Palace at Anfield for the right to play in the last eight. Liverpool lost in the final last season against Newcastle; they would hope for one better this season.

Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta understands that the Carabao Cup isn’t the silverware the fans expect after the huge summer investment but it’s a way to return the club to the top and they have been handed the visit of Brighton to the Emirates in the next round, how will Arsenal fare?