New Carabao Cup rule changes with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all affected

The Carabao Cup has returned this week, with several Premier League teams in action for the first time. The likes of Brentford, West Ham, Burnley and Southampton have all progressed, while Bournemouth and Wolves have already crashed out.

Manchester United, Everton, Fulham and Brighton, meanwhile, will all be in action on Wednesday as they take on EFL opposition. Newcastle are the defending champions after they beat Liverpool 2-1 in the final to claim their first domestic trophy since 1955.

The draw for the third round will take place after United's clash with Grimsby and there have been some changes, with the schedule dictating that teams competing in the Champions League and Europa League will not be drawn to face each other.

As a result, two separate bowls will be used in the draw with the eight clubs involved in the Champions League and Europa League in one and the remaining 24 in the other and those eight teams will be drawn first.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham all qualified for the Champions League, while Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are in the Europa League.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim weighs in after Rio Ferdinand tells struggling Man Utd star to 'liven up'

READ MORE: Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes sends strong Alexander Isak message to club bosses

Crystal Palace initially qualified for the Europa League after beating Manchester City to win the FA Cup, but they were demoted to the Conference League due to UEFA's multi-club ownership rules.

The third round matches will also be held over a two-week period due to a clash with European football. In a statement, the EFL confirmed: "Following the expansion of the European competition calendar ahead of the 2024/25 season, the EFL will again be required to implement additional conditions for the Carabao Cup Round Three draw.

"In-line with last year's competition, this season's Carabao Cup Round Three fixtures will take place across two weeks (beginning 15 and 22 September), with fixtures in the Champions League (week beginning 15 September) and Europa League (week beginning 22 September) also scheduled during this period.

"As UEFA competition fixtures cannot be rescheduled, and to enable the Carabao Cup to proceed within its agreed schedule without disrupting other League or domestic cup fixtures, the additional conditions will ensure that Clubs participating in the Champions League or Europa League cannot meet each other in Round Three of the League Cup.

"This will ensure that both teams drawn in each tie will be able to fulfil the fixture in one of the allocated weeks.

"It would always be the EFL's preference to conduct the draw in the traditional manner, but these changes have been forced upon us for the second season in succession as a result of UEFA’s failure to consult with the Leagues of Europe prior to finalising its competition schedule."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.