So, the English Football League Cup or the Carabao Cup is here. The EFL Cup Round 3 has already started with Newport hosting Watford and West Brom hosting Brentford in the opening game. However, despite the start, there are plenty of exciting fixtures to look forward to this week.
First held in 1960–61 as the Football League Cup, it is one of the three top-level tournaments in England. It closes in February, sometime before the Premier League and FA Cup, which end in May. With the renaming of the Football League as the English Football League in 2016, the competition was rebranded as the EFL Cup for the 2016–17 season.
So let’s check out the top five exciting EFL Cup fixtures to watch this week:
1. Leicester City vs Arsenal – 24th September 2020:
The Foxes host Arsenal at the King Power Stadium this Thursday as they face the toughest game of the new season. Leicester have been in an incredible form this season and have won both their games, sitting at the top of the table with six points. The Gunners have also won both of their games and are looking sharp so far. If we take the last five meetings between Leicester and Arsenal into consideration, Leicester have won three, drew once and lost once. This is an incredible record against the Gunners. A must watch game.
2. Manchester City vs Bournemouth – 25th September 2020:
The Citizens host Bournemouth this Friday for the EFL Cup Round 3 game at the Etihad. Manchester City started their season in an incredible fashion as they won 3-1 against Wolves in their opening Premier League game. Bournemouth, on the other hand, have played two games in the Championship, winning once and drawing once. If we talk about the last ten meetings between Manchester City and Bournemouth, City have won all ten of them. This is complete domination from the City.
3. Chelsea vs Barnsley – 24th September 2020:
Chelsea host Championship-based side Barnsley this Thursday in the 3rd Round of the EFL Cup. The Blues opened their Premier League campaign with a win over Brighton but lost their second game against Liverpool at home. The Tykes, on the other side, have lost both of their opening games in the Championship. It will be an easy fixture for Chelsea but things could go south if Lampard deploys a team full of youngsters. Nonetheless, it will be an exciting game to watch.
4. Lincoln City vs Liverpool – 25th September 2020:
The Imps host Premier League champions at the Sincil Bank Stadium as they prepare for the third round of EFL Cup. Liverpool have won both of their opening games against Leeds and Chelsea. Lincoln City have also won both of their opening games in the League 1 beating Oxford and MK Dons. Liverpool will most probably bench their first-team players and deploy a young lineup and it will be interesting to see how they fare against the League 1 side.
5. Fleetwood Town vs Everton – 24th September 2020:
The Trawlermen host Everton at the Highbury Stadium on Thursday. They defeated Port Vale 2-1 in the 2nd round and progressed to the third round. Everton won comfortably against Salford in the 2nd round as they won 3-0 at home. Fleetwood have won one and drew one game this season. Everton have won both of their games this season in the Premier League. Everton rested many first-team players against Salford and we could see the Ancelotti with a similar setup.
Some more exciting fixtures:
Milwall vs Burnley – 23rd September
Preston vs Brighton – 23rd September
Morecambe vs Newcastle United – 24th September
Bristol City vs Aston Villa – 24th September
