sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Sky Sports viewers left baffled by new Carabao Cup rule as 'pre-draw' takes place

Home> Football> Football News

Published 20:00 27 Aug 2025 GMT+1

Sky Sports viewers left baffled by new Carabao Cup rule as 'pre-draw' takes place

The third round draw for the Carabao Cup will take place after Grimsby Town vs Manchester United.

Marcus Chan

Marcus Chan

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Fans have been reacting on social media after a pre-draw took place for the Carabao Cup.

On Wednesday night, the draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup will take place after the conclusion of Grimsby Town against Manchester United.

So far, Premier League sides such as Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brentford and Burnley have all advanced to the next round.

However, Leeds United and Sunderland suffered defeat against lower league opposition.

Advert

Ahead of kick-off between Grimsby and United, fans were left confused as a pre-draw took place to determine whether Premier League sides, that are also playing in European competitions, will play their third round tie at home or away.

The results were that five out of eight top flight teams in Europe will play away, with three being drawn at home.

Reacting to the pre-draw, one fan said: "That carabao cup pre draw is the perfect embodiment of ‘games gone’."

Another tweeted: "Ridiculous Carabao Cup draw means #NUFC have a 5/8 chance of being away from home in the Third Round."

A third fan added: "What's this pre draw cup draw?"

Someone else wrote: "This new carabao cup draw format is a farce."

A fifth commented: "Wow this Carabao cup draw is long winded…"

Another fan said: "Carabao Cup draw. What a load of malarkey!"

Image: X
Image: X

Why was there a Carabao Cup pre-draw?

Explaining the reasoning behind the pre-draw, Sky Sports said: "Teams competing in Europe cannot be drawn against another Champions League or Europa League side, in line with EFL regulations.

"For the main draw, the EFL will use two separate bowls: one containing the eight clubs involved in the Champions League and Europa League, and the other with the remaining 24 teams.

"A pre-draw will first determine whether the European sides will play their third-round matches at home or away. Once that is settled, the first eight ties will be drawn by alternating between the two bowls to decide which teams will face the European entrants."

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports

Topics: Carabao Cup, Fan Reactions, Football

Marcus Chan
Marcus Chan

Recommended reads

Man Utd's 15 transfer targets to fill four key positions as at least six prepare to leaveGetty ImagesDennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridarts

Advert

Choose your content:

3 hours ago
4 hours ago
7 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Ex-England manager set for shock return to management with League Two club

    A former England manager is set for a return to club management with a League Two club.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    Dutch football plunged into chaos as 133 matches could be replayed

    The Eredivisie could have been plunged into chaos leading to 133 matches that may need replayed.

    Football
  • Alex Wong/Getty Images + Wiki Commons
    7 hours ago

    Iran officials denied access to FIFA World Cup meeting - 'They have no place in our country'

    Iran's football federation has spoken out following the crucial meeting.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    7 hours ago

    Mo Salah prepared to reject millions and make shock move to European giants

    Nobody saw this coming.

    Football
  • Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Where to watch this year's tournaments
  • What happened to Man Utd XI that lost 4-0 to MK Dons in Carabao Cup second round
  • Carabao Cup announce shock change to 2025/26 competition format as fans left baffled
  • Why Man Utd and Liverpool cannot meet in Carabao Cup draw after major rule change