The fourth round of the Carling Cup starts today, even if few will pay it much attention. The League Cup (sponsored by Carling) is England’s little-sister tournament, with accolades and column inches being saved for the FA Cup. Yet the Carling Cup is not that dissimilar to the FA Cup. The top four football leagues in England enter into a single-elimination tournament, the clubs make money off television rights, there’s a cash prize at the end, and the winner gets an automatic spot in the Europa League.
Carling Cup Fourth Round Fixtures: Lower League Clubs Hope To Advance In England’s Often-Overlooked Tournament
In case you missed it, three rounds of the Carling Cup have already passed, and a few big names have been knocked out by lower-level competition. Liverpool lost out to League Two side Northampton Town in a penalty shootout. Everton did the same with League One club Brentford. Wigan Athletic recorded its first win of the season by beating League One team Hartlepool. While teams in European competition may argue that they see no need to perform well in the League Cup, we still see Arsenal throwing on its best players to win against Tottenham, and last year's winners, Manchester United, appear to be seeking a repeat performance.
United take on Wolves today at Old Trafford, while the only League Two side left in the competition, Northampton, travel to Championship side Ipswich Town. Brentford face a nearly impossible tie at St Andrews against Birmingham City, although the Blues may be more focused on Sunday's Second City Derby against Aston Villa. Championship side Leicester City face a too-hot-to-handle West Bromwich Albion, and Wigan hope for glory against Swansea.
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