Some big rivalry games have been drawn out in the third round of the Capital One Cup, as a North London derby will take center stage.
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The eight Premier League teams in European action all received a bye to the third round but the big boys have now entered the fray and some mouth-watering ties have been set up. The most notable is Tottenham hosting fierce rivals Arsenal at White Hart Lane on Sept. 23. The Gunners and Spurs were pitted together in the FA Cup in 2014 and Arsenal prevailed. Mauricio Pochettino’s side would love to knock their rivals out at the first hurdle in the League Cup.
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Elsewhere a derby in England’s second-city takes places, with Aston Villa hosting Birmingham City on Sept. 22. The latter won the League Cup in 2011 but were also relegated from the Premier League in the same season and have yet to return to the top-flight. This match will be the first “second-city derby” in almost four years, as the intense rivalry will play out between Tim Sherwood and Gary Rowett’s teams under the lights at Villa Park.
A U.S. national team battle will take place at Craven Cottage in the third round, as Stoke City’s game-winner in the second round, Geoff Cameron, heads to play Championship side Fulham who just signed Tim Ream. The two USMNT defenders will be eager to show what they can do before the big Confederations Cup playoff against Mexico on Oct. 10, so that game is one to watch for U.S. fans. A South London derby sees PL side Crystal Palace host Charlton Athletic, while League Cup holders Chelsea travel to League One Walsall to start their defense and Manchester United host Ipswich Town from the Championship. Three all-PL ties sees Leicester host West Ham, Norwich vs. West Brom and Manchester City face a trip to Sunderland.
The games below will be played on the week of Sept. 21, with extra-time and penalty kicks on the night if needed to decide the final 16 teams.
League Cup third round draw in full
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal
Aston Villa vs. Birmingham City
Crystal Palace vs. Charlton Athletic
Fulham vs. Stoke City
Hull City vs. Swansea City
Leicester City vs. West Ham United
Liverpool vs. Carlisle United
Manchester United vs. Ipswich Town
Middlesbrough vs. Wolves
Newcastle United vs. Sheffield Wednesday
Norwich City vs. West Brom
MK Dons vs. Southampton
Preston North End vs. Bournemouth
Reading vs. Barsnley or Everton
Sunderland vs. Manchester City
Walsall vs. Chelsea
