Are you excited about the Carabao Cup tonight? If you are, you are probably in minority. The English competition that is commonly known as the League Cup is a bit of an ugly duckling. Although it’s got a long history, it never even got close to the popularity and the prestige that comes with the FA Cup, the world’s oldest football competition. But here we are!#𝗢𝗻𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟰:Paul Scholes scored a brace of goals in his Manchester United debut in the League Cup against Port Vale.The ginger chap did ok after that 😉 pic.twitter.com/CS7I9USC0f— Cantona Collars – aka Larry (@Cantona_Collars) September 21, 2021 Both Manchester big clubs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham are all in the third round of this year’s Carabao Cup, but their managers are probably looking at these fixtures and thinking “Ah, I’ll just let some kids play!” In recent years, with the increasing pressure of doing well in the Premier League and European competitions, most big English clubs see the League Cup as something between youth and senior football. These ties are a chance to hand first-team appearances to those players who are only making it to the big stage. Youngsters, players coming back from injuries or simply those who cannot get a game in more glamorous games – those will be on pitches around England tonight!Alongside some memorable moments, the League Cup has often been a platform for managers to give youngsters and new signings a debut. It’s the competition where the likes of Paul Pogba, Jude Bellingham, and even the great David Beckham made their debuts in English football. In October 2003, a boy called Cesc Fabregas, aged just 16 years and 177 days, made his Arsenal debut against Rotherham United. The future star of world football ran out onto Highbury pitch became the club’s youngest ever first-team player. And in the next round, the Spaniard would become their youngest ever goalscorer too.17 years ago today i made my debut as a professional @Arsenal ❤️🙏🏻⚽️ pic.twitter.com/3BaovKZsaU— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) October 28, 2020 The impressive list of players who got their first taste of senior football in this competition goes on. Paul Scholes took the stage and score two goals against Port Vale in 2014. Future Chelsea icon John Terry made his Blues debut four years later in a League cup tie against Aston Villa. And Barcelona stalwart Gerard Pique made his first Manchester United appearance in a 2004 League Cup clash against Crewe Alexandra.Back in 2021, however, Manchester City have established dominance over the competition recently, with Pep Guardiola’s side winning the last four editions of the tournament. Liverpool and Manchester United are both welcomed into the third round with a tie that will see them take on Premier League opposition in Norwich and West Ham respectively, while Arsenal welcome League out outfit AFC Wimbledon to the Emirates after beating West Bromwich Albion 6-0 in round two.Paul Pogba’s senior club debut came against Leeds at Elland Road, with the Frenchman replacing Ryan Giggs in a 3-0 League Cup win in September 2011.He is set to make his 200th appearance for United. #mufc #GlazersOut pic.twitter.com/Y9s2SbcPYA— The United Devils (@TheUnitedDevils) April 25, 2021 Nuno Espirito Santo makes another return to the Molineux to face Wolves for the second time as Spurs boss, as Chelsea gear up to face Aston Villa again – just over a week after they beat them in the league. The Citizens have been handed a more favourable draw as they face League One side Wycombe Wanderers at home.In the London derby, Arsenal prepare to face AFC Wimbledon, who could be reunited with former loan shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale. The goalkeeper, who made the switch from Sheffield United to the Emirates, was handed his first start against Norwich at the weekend. Also coming up in Round Three of the competition, Queens Park Rangers take on Everton, Watford go head-to-head with Stoke City and Leicester City make the trip to Millwall.After all those memories and potentially interesting fixtures, we cannot help but be at least a little excited about the League Cup. OK, it’s not the World Cup or the CAF Champions League, but it still has a lot to offer. Who knows, maybe we’ll catch a glimpse of a future star along the way.CARABAO CUP – Third roundTuesday21.45: (2.50) Wigan (3.25) Sunderland (2.90)21.45: (5.50) Norwich (3.80) Liverpool (1.65)21.45: (2.05) Watford (3.35) Stoke (3.80)21.45: (1.60) Preston (3.90) Cheltenham (5.80)21.45: (3.60) Sheffield Utd (3.25) Southampton (2.15)21.45: (4.00) QPR (3.50) Everton (1.93)21.45: (2.95) Fulham (3.35) Leeds (2.40)21.45: (1.22) Brentford (6.50) Oldham (13.0)21.45: (1.35) Burnley (5.00) Rochdale (9.00)21.45: (1.10) Man.City (11.0) Wycombe (19.0)Wednesday21.30: (1.47) Brighton (4.10) Swansea (7.75)21.45: (4.20) Millwall (3.50) Leicester (1.88)21.45: (1.55) Man.Utd. (4.00) West Ham (6.25)21.45: (2.55) Wolverhampton (3.15) Tottenham (2.85)21.45: (1.45) Chelsea (4.40) Aston Villa (7.50)21.45: (1.15) Arsenal (7.75) Wimbledon (18.0)***odds are subject to change
