The fourth-round draw for the 2024 Carabao Cup has set up some tantalizing fixtures that are bound to capture the attention of football fans worldwide. Liverpool, defending their title, faces a tricky away tie against Brighton & Hove Albion, while Manchester City is set for a blockbuster showdown with Tottenham Hotspur. With Premier League heavyweights like Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea also in the mix, this round promises to deliver plenty of drama and excitement.

Liverpool’s Title Defense in Jeopardy?

Liverpool, the reigning Carabao Cup champions, will travel to Brighton for what promises to be a difficult fixture. Brighton, under manager Roberto De Zerbi, has been in impressive form and will undoubtedly pose a significant challenge for Jurgen Klopp’s men. In the previous round, Liverpool dispatched West Ham United with a commanding 5-1 victory, thanks to stellar performances from Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo​.

Brighton, on the other hand, has made significant strides in recent seasons, earning a reputation for upsetting big teams. With home advantage, they will be looking to spoil Liverpool’s title defense. Klopp, aware of the threat posed by Brighton, will need his team to be at their best to avoid an early exit.

Man City vs Tottenham: A Clash of Titans

Manchester City’s journey to reclaim the Carabao Cup hits a roadblock in the form of Tottenham Hotspur. Pep Guardiola’s side, who has dominated this competition in recent years, will travel to Spurs for what could be the most anticipated fixture of the round. City, after edging past Watford in the third round, faces a tough test as they aim to add another piece of silverware to their growing collection.

Tottenham, playing under new management this season, will relish the opportunity to knock out one of the competition’s favorites. With home advantage and their fans behind them, Spurs could pull off a major upset. Guardiola, however, remains focused, knowing that City’s squad depth could make the difference.

Arsenal Travels to Preston North End

Arsenal, who easily overcame Bolton Wanderers in a 5-1 thrashing in the previous round, will travel to Championship side Preston North End. Arsenal’s young talent, including Ethan Nwaneri, who scored twice against Bolton, will be looking to continue their impressive cup run​.

Preston, however, earned their spot in the fourth round by defeating Premier League side Fulham in an epic penalty shootout, showing that they are more than capable of causing an upset. Arsenal cannot afford to be complacent against a side with nothing to lose​.

Manchester United Hosts Leicester City

Manchester United will host Leicester City in another exciting Premier League clash. United cruised through the previous round with a 7-0 victory over Barnsley, showing that they mean business in this competition. Leicester, relegated from the Premier League last season, remains a formidable opponent and will be keen to make their mark against Erik ten Hag’s side.

With both teams eager to advance, this fixture is set to be another enthralling encounter.

Other Exciting Matchups

Elsewhere in the fourth round, Brentford will face Sheffield Wednesday, while Aston Villa takes on Crystal Palace. Southampton will play against Stoke City, and Chelsea awaits the winner of the delayed tie between AFC Wimbledon and Newcastle United. Each match brings its own narrative, with lower-league teams looking to knock out Premier League opposition and secure their place in the quarter-finals.

The Road Ahead

With the fourth-round ties set to take place during the week commencing October 28, fans are bracing themselves for more thrilling cup action. The Carabao Cup continues to provide a platform for both established giants and underdogs to shine, with the promise of more upsets and unforgettable moments.

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