- Carabao Cup quarter-finals take place this week
- Eight Premier League clubs remain in the competition
- Tottenham's clash with Man Utd the standout fixture of the round
It wouldn't be a festive football calendar without some Carabao Cup quarter-final action.
Eight Premier League teams remain in the competition in the hope of advancing into the two-legged semi-final affairs in the new year. Many deride the supposed insignificance of this trophy, but those left are all desperate for a hint of glory.
For Arne Slot and Ruben Amorim, Carabao Cup success can serve as a springboard for future conquests. At the same time, Mikel Arteta's reached the stage of his Arsenal project where silverware was expected to arrive as a by-product. Tottenham and Newcastle are grand institutions bereft of successful Wembley ventures, with Brentford, Southampton, and Crystal Palace all aiming to fulfil the role of 'plucky underdog'.
It should be a cracking couple of days, and here's how 90min projects the four quarter-finals to pan out.
Wednesday 18 December
The bulk of the quarter-final ties will be played on Wednesday, with staggered kick-off times ensuring we can catch a bit of each encounter.
Arsenal are up first as they take on Crystal Palace at the Emirates just days before they travel to Selhurst Park in the Premier League. The Eagles rank among the most in-form teams in the division heading into their mini-series with the Gunners, and they'll be in high spirits after their 3-1 win in the M23 Derby on Sunday.
Arteta has worked wonders in north London, but fans are expecting the Spaniard's side to deliver. This is a 'process' that deserves a trophy, and the Carabao Cup is their best chance of silverware this season.
Liverpool are no strangers to success in this competition and are the current holders after downing Chelsea 1-0 in last year's memorable final. That triumph didn't kick-start a glorious end to Jurgen Klopp's reign, with the Reds faltering down the stretch. However, they've been rejuvenated by Slot's arrival and look well-placed to stage another title tilt.
The Reds face a manager-less Southampton after the club parted ways with Russell Martin in the immediate aftermath of Sunday's 5-0 drubbing at home to Tottenham.
In between these fixtures, Newcastle welcome Brentford to Tyneside just ten days after succumbing to the Bees in west London. Thomas Frank's side have sparkled at home this season, but they've been one of the least productive Premier League teams on their travels. St. James' Park is always a tough place to visit under the lights.
Kick-off Time (GMT) | Fixture | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
19:30 | Arsenal vs Crystal Palace | 2-1 |
19:45 | Newcastle vs Brentford | 2-1 |
20:00 | Southampton vs Liverpool | 1-3 |
Thursday 19 December
The sole Thursday fixture is arguably the standout tie of the round.
Manchester United, fresh off their dramatic late victory at the Etihad, travel to north London to face Tottenham, who also recorded an impressive result on Sunday.
Ange Postecoglou remains a somewhat divisive figure among the Lilywhite fanbase, and we should expect the mood to sour in N17 if Spurs falter here. However, expect much of the angst to be pointed towards chairman Daniel Levy. It's been 16 years since Tottenham last claimed a piece of major silverware.
There's certainly less pressure on Amorim heading into Thursday's bout, with the Portuguese coach's reign in Manchester only getting started. Victory in his maiden Manchester Derby means he already has plenty of credit in the bank.
The Red Devils are six-time winners of the competition with their last victory arriving in Erik ten Hag's debut season.
Kick-off Time (GMT) | Fixture | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
20:00 | Tottenham vs Man Utd | 2-1 |
