The Carabao Cup is in full swing, with several intriguing matchups taking place across England and Wales. Wednesday night features a host of fourth-round clashes, promising drama and potential upsets as teams vie for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Arsenal vs. Brighton
Arsenal, currently riding high at the top of the Premier League with a four-point lead, welcome Brighton to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are enjoying a rich vein of form, having secured their seventh successive victory in their last match. Their strong set-piece ability and defensive solidity, having conceded only three goals all season, make them a formidable opponent.
However, Brighton will be looking to cause an upset. Despite an inconsistent start to their Premier League campaign, the Seagulls have shown their capabilities in the Carabao Cup, hitting both Oxford and Barnsley for six in previous rounds. They will be keen to emulate the domestic cup success of Newcastle and Crystal Palace from last season.
Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his squad, giving opportunities to young talents like Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman. However, he will still be aiming to maintain momentum and secure a place in the quarter-finals. The match kicks off at 7:45 pm GMT and will be televised live on Sky Sports+ in the UK.
Swansea City vs. Manchester City
Swansea City, currently sitting 13th in the Championship, host Manchester City at the Swansea.com Stadium. The Swans will be buoyed by their recent 2-1 home win against Norwich. However, they face a daunting task against the Premier League giants, who have dominated this fixture historically, remaining unbeaten in their last 15 meetings.
Manchester City, on the other hand, are coming off a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League, which ended their unbeaten run. Pep Guardiola will be looking for a response from his players. Star striker Erling Haaland is expected to be rested after a knock, while midfielder Rodri remains unavailable.
The match kicks off at 7:45 pm GMT. In the UK, the game will be shown live on Sky Sports+, with streaming available via the Sky Go app.
Other Matches
In other Carabao Cup action, Liverpool faces Crystal Palace at Anfield. Newcastle United takes on Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park. Chelsea travels to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The draw for the quarter-finals will take place following the conclusion of Wednesday's matches. Brentford, Fulham, and Cardiff City have already booked their places in the last eight.
