The third round of the EFL Cup continues with an all-Premier League clash between Liverpool and West Ham United leading the way. It’ll also be a chance to get a first look at Manchester City without Rodri as City hosts Watford. There has been a postponement of Newcastle United facing AFC Wimbledon due to a waterlogged pitch at Wimbledon’s stadium but the Magpies have donated £15,000 to assist with the repairs. The donation helps offset the fact that the match will now take place at Newcastle United’s stadium moving Wimbledon’s League Two fixture against Crewe Alexandra to accommodate the rescheduling.
The third round has already seen a Premier League team get knocked out of the competition with Preston North End winning an epic penalty shootout 16-15 over Fulham and other top-flight sides will look to avoid that fate. The EFL Cup may be in competition with the Champions League and league play where a team’s priorities are tested but that doesn’t mean that Premier League sides won’t want to win it.
Following the conclusion of Liverpool vs. West Ham United, the draw for the fourth round will take place for matches scheduled to happen during the week of Oct. 28.
Let’s take a look at a few storylines and the schedule for the remaining third-round fixtures:
Manchester City hosts Tom Cleverly’s Watford
On Tuesday, the Etihad will go from hosting a massive Premier League encounter to welcoming Championship side Watford. Coached by Tom Cleverly, Watford are within striking distance of the playoff places in the league after a strong run of form. They’ll come up against a tough City side but in cup ties, teams have their chance for success against Pep Guardiola. Already losing Rodri to a knee injury, City could rotate more than usual in order to bubble-wrap their players. With talented members of the academy awaiting their chances, the EFL Cup is always a good time for them to get minutes but if Watford play their starters and nab an early goal, anything could happen. City crashed out at this stage against Newcastle United last campaign so there is a chance.
New managers square off as West Ham United and Liverpool meet
Julen Lopetegui took over West Ham United heading into this season while Arne Slot succeeded Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool but the fortunes of these teams couldn’t have been more different. The Hammers are in 14th with only one win in the young league season despite a heavy summer of spending while Liverpool are second only one point off of the top of the league. Slot may have inherited a better team but the gap between the two wasn’t supposed to be so drastic. Liverpool have only lost one of their last 56 home matches against West Ham United so they’ll expect to keep that good form going. A victory would be a great time for Lopetegui to start righting the ship for the Hammers but to do so, he’ll have to do something that hasn’t been done since 1964 and topple Liverpool away from home.
Upcoming EFL Cup broadcast schedule
All times Eastern
Tuesday, Sep. 24
Walsall vs. Leicester City, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
Manchester City vs. Warford, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
Chelsea vs. Barrow, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
Wycombe vs. Aston Villa, 3 p.m. (CBS Sports Network, Paramount+)
Wednesday, Sep. 25
Arsenal vs. Bolton, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
Liverpool vs. West Ham United 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
Tuesday, Oct. 1
Newcastle United vs. AFC Wimbledon, 2:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
