Round Three of the Carabao Cup is upon us and we've got some tasty ties on the way. Here are five things to look out for...
Clash of the titans
Round Three will see two former winners Manchester City welcome Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium in a repeat of the 2019 Carabao Cup Final.
The fixture between the two teams will also see five-time winner Raheem Sterling return to his former Club for the first time since completing a move to West London in the summer. Sterling slotted home the winning penalty in that showdown at Wembley three years ago as the Sky Blues made it back-to-back victories.
Match-winner.
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 24, 2019
Yes, you @sterling7 #EFL | #CarabaoCupFinal pic.twitter.com/T4Fqm5ThQ0
But will be able to help Chelsea lift the trophy this year?
History repeats itself
The 2010 League Cup Final marked the 50th anniversary of the competition as Aston Villa and reigning champions Manchester United battled it out to lift the silverware under the arch, as the Reds ran out 2-1 winners after 90 minutes.
Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney both made the scoresheet for United, who came from behind in the Final, whilst James Milner was on target from the spot for Villa.
This week, they will lock horns once more – this time, with a place in Round Four at stake – at Old Trafford, where the draw will take place following the conclusion of the tie.
Memorable reunions
Newport County and Leicester City have previous in cup competitions that the Exiles might look back fondly upon. In 2019, the Welsh team shocked the Foxes by ousting them from the FA Cup Round Three, seeing off the top-flight outfit 2-1 in front of a packed-out Rodney Parade.
On Tuesday evening, they will face off at the King Power Stadium with Newport – who have already beaten higher ranked opposition in Luton Town and Portsmouth to reach thi stage of the competition – hoping for a repeat of the last time the two teams met.
David vs Goliath
It’s Premier League versus Sky Bet League Two when Brentford entertain Gillingham in Round Three this week. A total of 76 league positions separates the Bees and the Gills, who haven’t come face-to-face since 2014 when the former won promotion from Sky Bet League One.
And there’s a trip to the Gtech Community Stadium on the cards for Neil Harris’ men as the focus turns to the Carabao Cup.
Rampant runs
St Mary’s Stadium can be expecting some spectacular strikes when Sheffield Wednesday visit Southampton later this week. Owls midfielder Dennis Adeniran has already claimed consecutive Goal of the Round awards whilst teammate Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was named Round Two’s star man.
⚽️ @DennisAE7 takes the Goal of the Round once again! 🦉
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) October 13, 2022
💥 His thunderous strike for @swfc against Rochdale has been voted as the pick of the goals from Round Two! 👏#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/5tW9yWpdje
The Saints stand in their way of progressing to the next stage but if the South Yorkshire side can conjure up some more Carabao Cup magic, the south coast is poised for a thrilling tie.