The path to Wembley for the 2025/2026 Carabao Cup Final has become clearer following the completion of the Quarter Final draw With the Fourth Round yielding a mix of thrilling upsets and hard fought victories the remaining eight clubs seven from the Premier League and one EFL League One hopeful now know their opponents as the competition enters its final stages .
Teams Progressing to the Last Eight
The Fourth Round saw several standout results that shaped the composition of the quarter final draw .
- Upsets and Thrillers Premier League champions Liverpool were sensationally dumped out losing 3 0 at Anfield to Crystal Palace marking a significant upset Meanwhile League One side Cardiff City continued their excellent run by defeating Welsh rivals Wrexham securing their spot as the lowest ranked team remaining .
- Close Calls Chelsea held off a late fightback from Wolverhampton Wanderers to win a seven goal thriller 4 3 despite having a player sent off Fulham progressed via a penalty shootout against Wycombe Wanderers .
- Dominant Displays Arsenal secured their place with a comfortable 2 0 win over Brighton Hove Albion extending their impressive winning streak Brentford eased past Grimsby Town with a 5 0 victory
- Holders Progress Defending champions Newcastle United continued their quest for back to back titles with a professional 2 0 win at home against Tottenham Hotspur .
- The favourites advance Manchester City came from behind to beat Swansea City 3 1 showcasing their quality even with a rotated squad .
The eight teams in the hat for the draw were Arsenal Brentford Cardiff City Chelsea Crystal Palace Fulham Manchester City and Newcastle United .
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The Quarter Final Fixtures in Full
The draw which was conducted live following the final Fourth Round tie has delivered a set of compelling match ups including an all London derby and a classic giant killing opportunity .
| Home Team | Away Team | Notes |
| Arsenal | Crystal Palace | An all Premier League London derby . |
| Cardiff City | Chelsea | League One vs Premier League in the Welsh capital . |
| Manchester City | Brentford | A challenging all Premier League fixture . |
| Newcastle United | Fulham | The defending champions host a fellow Premier League side . |
Key Match Analysis
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
This all London affair is perhaps the pick of the ties Premier League leaders Arsenal who are chasing their first League Cup since 1993 will host Crystal Palace The Eagles come into this match with immense confidence having inflicted a shocking defeat on reigning champions Liverpool in the previous round This tie also sees a repeat of their recent Premier League fixture .
Cardiff City vs Chelsea
This represents a dream draw for League One side Cardiff City As the sole non Premier League club remaining they have secured a lucrative home tie against a major top flight opponent Chelsea Chelsea under new management will be aiming to take a step closer to silverware but must be wary of the potential for an upset in a hostile away environment .
Manchester City vs Brentford
Manchester City a club very familiar with domestic cup success will host Brentford The Bees have demonstrated their quality by progressing comfortably to the last eight and will provide a stern test for Pep Guardiolas side even at the Etihad Stadium .
Newcastle United vs Fulham
Defending champions Newcastle United have been handed a favourable home tie against Fulham The Magpies who ended a 70 year trophy drought in this competition last season will be keen to progress and maintain their hold on the title making St James Park a daunting place for Fulham to visit .
When Will the Quarter Finals Be Played
All four Quarter Final ties are scheduled to take place in the week commencing Monday December 15th 2025 The exact dates and kick off times will be confirmed shortly by the English Football League EFL .
The conclusion of the Fourth Round and the subsequent draw has set the stage for a fascinating business end of the competition as the remaining eight clubs battle it out for a spot in the two legged Semi Finals and the ultimate prize of a trip to Wembley Stadium .
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources concerning the Carabao Cup draw Readers should cross check updates from official news outlets and the English Football League EFL for the final confirmed fixture dates and times .