Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening (7:45pm) in the Carabao Cup, live on Sky Sports Football.
The tie brings back excellent memories with Leeds having lifted the trophy against their upcoming opposition, after a 1-0 win in the 1968 final at Wembley thanks to Terry Cooper’s winner. This is the first meeting between the two in what is traditionally known as the League Cup, since 1979.
This will be the third match for either side in the Carabao Cup this season. Leeds began the competition by beating Crewe Alexandra at Elland Road and Mikel Arteta’s team hit West Bromwich Albion for six away from home.
Both teams defeated London opposition in the previous stage to reach Round Four, with Leeds overcoming Fulham on penalties, whilst the Gunners continued their fine goal-scoring, comfortably dispatching AFC Wimbledon.
Teams will be allowed to make five substitutions from this round going forward after the EFL Board approved a rule change. All five changes will need to be made using just three breaks in play, or at half-time.
Staying with rules, there is no extra-time in the cup until the semi-final stages. As seen when the Whites went to Fulham, should the match finish in a draw, it goes straight to penalties. There is also no VAR at this stage.
Leeds haven’t made the quarter-final of the League Cup since 2016/17, whilst Arsenal went out at the quarter-final stage of the competition last season after a home defeat to eventual winners, Manchester City.
The side who progresses from this Round Four clash will find out their next opponents on Saturday morning, live on Soccer AM. The quarter final clashes are due to take place during the week of December 20th.
Manager/head coach:
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta
Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa
Carabao Cup Round Three result:
Arsenal 3-0 AFC Wimbledon
Arteta’s side comfortably overcame Sky Bet League One opposition at the Emirates to progress to this stage,
Fulham 0-0(p) Leeds United
The Whites progressed in a tense penalty shootout at Craven Cottage, following a goalless draw inside the initial 90 minutes.
What are the other ties?
Tuesday October 26
Arsenal vs Leeds United
Chelsea vs Southampton
Queens Park Rangers vs Sunderland
Wednesday October 27
Burnley vs Tottenham Hotspur
Leicester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Preston North End vs Liverpool
Stoke City vs Brentford
West Ham United vs Manchester City
Top scorer (all competitions)
Arsenal: Aubameyang (7)
Leeds: Raphinha (3)
Head to head
Arsenal: 41
Draws: 33
Leeds: 48
A match to remember
Team news
Marcelo Bielsa’s side still have a number of injuries to contend with a head of the match. The head coach previously confirmed that Junior Firpo, Luke Ayling, Patrick Bamford and Robin Koch would all still be missing, whilst there are fresh concerns over Raphinha after the striker was injured against Wolves on Saturday. For Arsenal, Kieran Tierney is expected to still be out for the cup tie with a bruised ankle. Granit Xhaka is the only long-term player on the injury table, but
Officials
Referee – Andre Marriner
Assistant Referee 1 – Harry Lennard
Assistant Referee 2 – Scott Ledger
Fourth Official – Andrew Madley
Players to watch:
Eddie Nketiah vs Joe Gelhardt
If selected, both young strikers will be looking to go out on the pitch and further showcase their ability. The Whites know all about the goal-scoring capabilities of Nketiah and the striker also has a great record in the competition, with six goals in seven appearances. Gelhardt made his first team debut in the Carabao Cup, scoring in the penalty shoot-out at Fulham, and has recently followed up with impressive performances in the Premier League.
Latest odds
Arsenal: 4/7
Draw: 3/1
Leeds: 17/4
How to watch
The match has been selected for Sky Sports coverage, whilst match commentary is also available via LUTV.