The 2025-26 EFL Cup Fourth Round takes centre stage on Wednesday, October 29, featuring five high-stakes clashes between top Premier League sides fighting for a spot in the quarter-finals.
As the competition narrows to the final 16 teams, managers are carefully considering rotation strategies for the packed winter schedule. Among the exciting fixtures is a standout clash between unbeaten leaders Arsenal and the red-hot Brighton & Hove Albion.
The draw for the quarter-finals will follow immediately after the final whistle, adding further intrigue and urgency to this pivotal mid-week round.
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 – 2025-26 EFL Cup Fourth round Full Fixture
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion – 2025-26 EFL Cup Fourth round
Kick-off: 7:45 PM GMT (2:45 PM ET)
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Referee: Sam Barrott
TV: Sky Sports+, talkSPORT 2
Arsenal enter this all-Premier League showdown coming off a crucial 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, with Eberechi Eze scoring his first league goal for the Gunners. Manager Mikel Arteta faces selection challenges with William Saliba, Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, and Gabriel Martinelli all carrying knocks of varying severity from the weekend.
Brighton arrives in devastating form after making history as the first club ever to win consecutive EFL Cup matches by six-goal margins, defeating Oxford United 6-0 before replicating that scoreline against Barnsley in the third round. Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gomez leads the tournament scoring charts with five goals and netted four in the Barnsley demolition.
With no European commitments this season, Brighton can field a strong XI, while Arsenal’s depth will be tested as they juggle domestic and continental competitions.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace – 2025-26 EFL Cup Fourth round
Kick-off: 7:45 PM GMT (2:45 PM ET)
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Referee: Craig Pawson
TV: Sky Sports+, talkSPORT
This fixture represents a rematch of the Community Shield, where Crystal Palace triumphed over the reigning Premier League champions. However, both teams arrive in contrasting form compared to their last meeting.
Liverpool’s once-unbeaten start has evaporated, suffering four consecutive Premier League defeats for the first time since February 2021, with Saturday’s loss to Brentford the latest setback. The Reds’ midfield depth is tested with Curtis Jones joining Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch as injury doubts after departing early against Brentford.
Palace’s fortunes have also turned, winless in their last four matches with three defeats during that span. Despite the recent struggles, Palace’s earlier victory over Liverpool this season demonstrates their capability to challenge Arne Slot’s side.
Both teams will view this cup tie as an opportunity to reverse their current slides and regain momentum.
Swansea City vs Manchester City – 2025-26 EFL Cup Fourth round
Kick-off: 7:45 PM GMT (2:45 PM ET)
Venue: Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea
Referee: Jarred Gillett
TV: Sky Sports+, Paramount+
Championship side Swansea City earned this tie by stunning Premier League opponents Nottingham Forest with two remarkable injury-time goals in the third round. The Welsh club has shown inconsistency domestically with four wins, four losses, and four draws in the Championship, never achieving back-to-back identical results.
Manchester City arrives seeking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season at Aston Villa, which ended a nine-game unbeaten run. The Citizens received positive news regarding Erling Haaland, who collided awkwardly with the goalpost during the Villa loss but should be rested for this fixture.
With Haaland having scored 15 goals in 12 appearances this season, his absence provides Swansea with hope. City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to rotate heavily, having already lifted this trophy eight times in the club’s history.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea – 2025-26 EFL Cup Fourth round
Kick-off: 7:45 PM GMT (2:45 PM ET)
Venue: Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton
Referee: Thomas Bramall
TV: Sky Sports+, talkSPORT App
Chelsea travels to Molineux looking to extend their strong away form this season. The Blues advanced comfortably past Lincoln City in the third round and will expect to challenge for a quarterfinal berth.
Wolves secured their fourth-round spot with a 2-0 victory over Everton and will look to capitalize on home advantage. Both teams are balancing UEFA Champions League commitments, meaning heavy rotation is anticipated from the starting XIs fielded over the weekend.
This fixture represents one of four all-Premier League ties in the fourth round, highlighting the competition’s increasing intensity as lower-league representation dwindles.
Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur – 2025-26 EFL Cup Fourth round
Kick-off: 8:00 PM GMT (3:00 PM ET)
Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
TV: Sky Sports+
The headline clash of Wednesday evening pits defending EFL Cup champions Newcastle against UEFA Europa League holders Tottenham in a battle of last season’s trophy winners.
Newcastle needed a 90th-minute winner to overcome Fulham in the third round and are now targeting a fourth consecutive EFL Cup quarterfinal appearance. Defender Sven Botman may be rested after sustaining a hefty blow during Saturday’s match, though Lewis Hall could return from a hamstring problem.
Tottenham arrives with excellent away form, in stark contrast to their inconsistent home performances. Spurs eased past Everton 3-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday to climb to third in the Premier League table.
Interestingly, St James’ Park may actually favor the visitors given Tottenham’s superior road record this season. Newcastle has won five of the last six meetings between these clubs, though Spurs will aim to reverse that trend.
Both managers are expected to rotate significantly given their Champions League commitments, but the quality on display should still be exceptional.
2025-26 EFL Cup Fourth round Tournament
Quarterfinal Draw
The draw for the quarterfinals will take place immediately following the Newcastle vs Tottenham match on Wednesday evening. The eight quarterfinal ties are scheduled for the week commencing December 15, 2025.
Remaining Competition
Only nine teams from the original 16 fourth-round participants remain after Tuesday’s action:
- Premier League (7 teams): Arsenal, Brighton, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham, and either Wolves
- Championship (1 team): Swansea City
- League One (1 team): Cardiff City (already through)
- League Two (0 teams): Grimsby Town eliminated by Brentford
This marks the guaranteed inclusion of at least one EFL Championship or League One club in the quarterfinals, with Swansea and Cardiff representing the lower-tier survivors.
Tuesday’s Results (October 28)
- Grimsby Town 0-5 Brentford: The Bees dominated League Two’s giant-killers with a clinical display.
- Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Fulham (4-5 pens): Fulham advanced on penalties after a tense encounter.
- Wrexham 1-2 Cardiff City: The all-Welsh derby saw Cardiff triumph at the Racecourse Ground.
Key Storylines to Watch
Arsenal’s Injury Crisis: Can the Gunners navigate their mounting injury list while maintaining cup ambitions?
Liverpool’s Slump: Will Anfield provide the stage for the Reds to end their worst run under Arne Slot?
Swansea’s Giant-Killing Bid: Can the Championship side replicate their Forest heroics against eight-time winners Manchester City?
Battle of Champions: Newcastle vs Tottenham promises fireworks as EFL Cup holders face Europa League winners
Brighton’s Scoring Spree: Can the Seagulls continue their unprecedented six-goal winning streaks at the Emirates?