Carabao Cup Quarter-Final Draw: Liverpool Face Bournemouth as Fleetwood’s Cup Run Continues

The draw for the 2026/27 Carabao Cup quarter-finals has been confirmed, with Liverpool set to host Bournemouth, holders Manchester City facing Bradford City and League Two giant-killers Fleetwood Town handed another opportunity to cause a major upset.

Wednesday night’s draw followed an extraordinary fourth round which saw Premier League champions Arsenal eliminated by Fleetwood, while Liverpool and Manchester City both required penalty shootouts to secure their places in the last eight.

With just three victories now separating the remaining clubs from lifting the trophy at Wembley, the competition is entering its decisive stages. The quarter-finals will take place during the week commencing Monday 14th December 2026, with four places in January’s semi-finals at stake.

Carabao Cup Quarter-Final Draw 2026/27 in Full

The four quarter-final ties are as follows:

Liverpool v Bournemouth
Manchester City v Bradford City
Crystal Palace v Sunderland
Fleetwood Town v Everton or Newcastle United

All four matches are scheduled for the week commencing Monday 14th December, with individual fixture dates and kick-off times still to be confirmed.

Fleetwood’s opponents will be determined on Thursday 29th October, when Everton welcome Newcastle United to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the final fourth-round fixture.

Liverpool Handed Bournemouth Reunion for Andoni Iraola

Liverpool’s reward for their dramatic penalty shootout victory over Chelsea is another home encounter, this time against Bournemouth, in a fixture carrying additional significance for Reds boss Andoni Iraola.

The Spaniard, who previously managed Bournemouth, will come up against his former employers with an opportunity to move one step closer to winning his first major trophy as Liverpool head coach.

Liverpool secured their place in the last eight following a closely contested encounter against Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday evening. Morgan Rogers and Cody Gakpo both converted penalties during a 1-1 draw, before the hosts eventually prevailed 6-5 in the shootout.

Iraola subsequently admitted that Bournemouth were the opponents he had hoped to avoid, acknowledging his familiarity with the club and their impressive recent performances.

The Cherries arrive in the quarter-finals following a convincing 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium, extending their excellent recent run of results.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are pursuing an 11th League Cup triumph, having already lifted the trophy a record ten times. With Wembley now within reach, another major cup occasion awaits at Anfield in December.

Supporters looking to attend the quarter-final can explore Eventmasters’ Liverpool hospitality packages, with premium matchday experiences available for selected fixtures at Anfield.

Fleetwood Town Rewarded After Stunning Arsenal

Perhaps the biggest story of the fourth round came at Highbury Stadium on Tuesday evening, where League Two Fleetwood Town produced a remarkable result to eliminate reigning Premier League champions Arsenal.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw before Fleetwood claimed a famous 5-3 penalty shootout victory, sending Mikel Arteta’s side crashing out of the competition.

For a club competing in the fourth tier of English football, reaching the Carabao Cup quarter-finals represents an outstanding achievement, particularly given the calibre of opposition they have overcome.

Fleetwood have now been rewarded with another home fixture against Premier League opposition, with either Everton or Newcastle United set to visit Highbury Stadium in December.

Regardless of Thursday evening’s result on Merseyside, Fleetwood will enter the quarter-finals knowing they are just one victory away from a two-legged semi-final. Having already eliminated Arsenal, they will believe another upset is possible.

Manchester City Face Bradford as Trophy Defence Continues

Defending champions Manchester City will welcome League One Bradford City to the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola’s side looking to maintain their pursuit of consecutive Carabao Cup titles.

City were pushed all the way by Brighton & Hove Albion in Wednesday’s fourth-round encounter, eventually progressing 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

The result keeps City’s trophy defence alive, although Bradford will travel to Manchester with ambitions of producing one of the biggest results in their recent history.

The Bantams reached the quarter-finals following a 2-0 victory over Peterborough United and will now test themselves against one of English football’s most successful cup sides.

Bradford supporters will remember their extraordinary journey to the 2013 League Cup Final, when the club reached Wembley while competing in League Two. That run demonstrated the competition’s capacity to produce unexpected finalists, and Bradford will be hoping to create more memorable moments this season.

For Manchester City, the opportunity to win a tenth League Cup title provides further motivation as Guardiola’s side look to retain the trophy they won last season.

Crystal Palace and Sunderland Set for All-Premier League Quarter-Final

The remaining confirmed quarter-final will see Crystal Palace welcome Sunderland to Selhurst Park, with both clubs looking to secure a place in the last four.

Palace progressed following a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage, with Eddie Nketiah scoring the decisive goal in the first half.

Sunderland, meanwhile, survived a late comeback against Brentford to secure an entertaining 3-2 victory at the Stadium of Light, booking their place in the quarter-finals.

With several of the Premier League’s biggest clubs already eliminated, both Palace and Sunderland will recognise the opportunity presented by reaching this stage of the competition.

Neither club has previously lifted the League Cup, meaning December’s encounter could provide an important step towards a historic achievement.

When Are the Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals and Final?

The remaining stages of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup will be played across December, January, February and March, with the competition concluding at Wembley Stadium.

The confirmed dates are:

Quarter-finals: Week commencing Monday 14th December 2026
Semi-final first legs: Week commencing Monday 11th January 2027
Semi-final second legs: Week commencing Monday 1st February 2027
Carabao Cup Final: Sunday 21st March 2027

The quarter-finals will be decided over a single match, with the winners progressing to the two-legged semi-finals.

With Liverpool and Manchester City still involved, two lower-league clubs hoping to extend their remarkable campaigns and several Premier League sides pursuing silverware, December promises another fascinating round of Carabao Cup football.

Carabao Cup Quarter-Final Draw 2026/27 FAQs

When was the Carabao Cup quarter-final draw made?

The quarter-final draw took place on Wednesday 28th October 2026, following Liverpool’s fourth-round victory over Chelsea at Anfield.

Who will Liverpool play in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals?

Liverpool will host Bournemouth at Anfield during the week commencing Monday 14th December 2026. The match will see Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola face his former club.

Who will Manchester City face in the quarter-finals?

Manchester City have been drawn at home against League One Bradford City. The match will take place at the Etihad Stadium in December.

Who knocked Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup?

League Two Fleetwood Town eliminated Arsenal in the fourth round on Tuesday 27th October 2026, winning 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

When is the 2027 Carabao Cup Final?

The 2026/27 Carabao Cup Final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 21st March 2027.