Carabao Cup Fourth Round: Arsenal Face Fleetwood as Liverpool Prepare for Chelsea Showdown

Arsenal’s trip to Fleetwood gives the Carabao Cup fourth round its sharpest contrast, while Liverpool against Chelsea supplies the heavyweight contest. Eight quarter-final places are available across three nights from Tuesday, 27 October, with Manchester City hosting Brighton and Bournemouth welcoming Aston Villa on Wednesday.

For South African bettors, the selection calls deserve as much attention as the fixtures. Arsenal and Liverpool meet in the Premier League on Sunday, 1 November, leaving both managers to balance cup ambition against a demanding league assignment.

Fleetwood test Arsenal’s depth

Arsenal arrive after beating Everton 2–0, a result that drew them level on points with Manchester City. Our Premier League weekend roundup explains how the title picture tightened. At Fleetwood, the immediate question is how much of that winning side Mikel Arteta retains.

Bukayo Saka’s injury adds to the selection considerations. The Premier League’s latest update records his withdrawal during the Champions League draw at Bayern Munich. That injury and Sunday’s Anfield fixture make opportunities for other attackers plausible, but a projected cup XI remains a prediction until Arsenal announce their team.

Fleetwood beat Sheffield United 1–0 in the previous round, a result recorded in the club’s official match archive. That gives their cup progress substance beyond the attraction of hosting Arsenal. Their League Two status establishes the gap in resources, but they have already eliminated opposition from a higher division. Their best route is to keep Arsenal playing in front of an organised defence and make set pieces count. An early Arsenal goal would force the hosts to take more risks, potentially changing the handicap contest.

We favour Arsenal’s superior resources as the starting point for assessing the match winner. The margin is harder to judge. Senior replacements with established combinations present a different challenge from a side asking several youngsters to find their feet together.

Liverpool face Chelsea without Palmer

Liverpool’s 2–0 win over Brighton was their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions. Pascal Groß’s own goal and Alexander Isak’s finish settled the scoring before half-time, but Brighton still created openings, including Yasin Ayari’s shot against the post. The clean sheet was welcome; the performance didn’t remove every defensive question.

The immediate concern is Florian Wirtz. Liverpool’s injury update confirms an ankle problem and further assessment. Andoni Iraola’s initial view was encouraging, but that isn’t confirmation that Wirtz can play on Wednesday.

Chelsea have a definite absence: Cole Palmer serves his one-match suspension at Anfield after his dismissal against Tottenham. The Premier League’s disciplinary update confirms the ban applies to this cup tie. Chelsea lost that derby 2–0 and must now replace an influential source of creativity.

Our reading is that Liverpool’s improving attacking connections give them an encouraging platform, while Palmer’s absence weakens the case for treating Chelsea’s usual attacking output as a reliable guide. Any Liverpool changes before Arsenal’s visit could still alter the balance substantially.

City and Brighton have more than a defeat to weigh up

Manchester City lost 2–1 at Aston Villa, while Brighton were beaten at Anfield. Those setbacks give Wednesday’s meeting an immediate response angle, but neither result warrants dismissing the quality that preceded it.

City’s official cup preview recalls their 5–0 win over Norwich in the previous round and Brighton’s 3–2 victory at Manchester United. Brighton have already won a difficult away cup tie; City have already shown their scoring capacity in this competition.

For Enzo Maresca’s side, the key tactical question is whether they can attack without offering Brighton space when possession turns over. The club has scheduled Maresca’s press conference for 12:30 SAST on Tuesday, so further team news is still due after the morning build-up.

Carabao Cup fourth-round fixtures in SAST

Bournemouth versus Villa pairs two sides coming off impressive league wins, while Everton versus Newcastle closes the round on Thursday. Bradford versus Peterborough guarantees a quarter-final place for a club outside the Premier League. The EFL’s confirmed schedule converts to these South African kick-offs.

The Betting Read

Arsenal’s match-winner market and their handicap require separate judgements. A side capable of controlling the tie may still lack the finishing rhythm to clear a demanding line. Fleetwood’s home advantage alone doesn’t establish value either: compare the actual handicap and price with the announced Arsenal attack. Our soccer betting guide explains how those markets differ.

At Anfield, we’d reassess both teams to score and goals totals once the creators and forwards are known. Palmer’s suspension removes one reason to expect Chelsea chances; a changed Liverpool defence could provide another. Liverpool’s recent win supports their case, but it doesn’t make a home-win-and-goals combination attractive at any price.

City versus Brighton needs the same attention to balance. Changes to City’s midfield cover could matter as much as the striker selection. Assess the players protecting possession losses before using either weekend defeat to justify a goals bet.

The fourth round goes straight to penalties if level after 90 minutes, with no extra time. Standard 90-minute match-result bets include stoppage time and exclude the shootout; qualification markets cover progression. A team can draw 1–1 and advance on penalties while its 90-minute win bet loses. Our sports betting guide provides the wider market context; confirm the settlement wording on your bet slip.

Arsenal have the clearest resource advantage, while Liverpool’s improving form gives Wednesday’s headline tie its starting point. The strongest betting decision may come later, when the team sheets show which partnerships survived the changes and the available prices can be judged against them.

Welcome bonus

R50 Sports Bet + 25 Free Spins No Deposit Bonus

New customers only. T&Cs apply. 18+.

Claim now ↗

Affiliate disclosure: StraightBet may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. This does not affect our editorial independence. 18+ only. Bet responsibly. Winners know when to stop. Get help and support.

18+ only. Betting carries risk, so keep it within your means. This guide is written for South African residents and refers to operators licensed by provincial gambling boards under the National Gambling Act. If gambling is taking a toll on you or someone you know, the National Responsible Gambling Programme helpline is free and open 24/7 on 0800 006 008, or text HELP to 076 675 0710. Winners know when to stop.