Premier League Giants Face Double Test as League Cup Heats Up
This week, England’s elite clubs brace for a busy schedule, with five heavyweights all in action as the League Cup campaign intensifies. For defending champions Newcastle United, struggling badly in the league with just one win from six matches, this cup run could offer the perfect opportunity to halt their slump and rediscover momentum.
The competition has already delivered plenty of drama. Four ties in the Round of 32 are in the books, with 12 more to follow in the coming days. Recent changes to UEFA’s European competitions have had a ripple effect on the League Cup, stretching the 32-team stage across two weeks. While Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest—both Europa League participants—featured last week, the six Champions League contenders enter the fray now, with the rest spread across this extended round.
And the upsets are already flowing. Aston Villa and Forest, both balancing European commitments, crashed out early. Spurs, under new boss Ange Postecoglou, are winless in three straight games, a stark contrast to the 8–2 record under his predecessor. League Two underdogs Grimsby Town produced another shock, toppling Championship side Sheffield Wednesday after famously eliminating Manchester United last year. Crystal Palace, still unbeaten, scraped through only on penalties against Millwall. Add to that United’s early exit, and the League Cup is quickly living up to its reputation as a graveyard for giants.
This week, however, the spotlight shines on the “big five,” all of whom face lower-league opposition. Will United’s fate be repeated? Liverpool take on recently relegated Southampton, though with fixture congestion mounting, new manager Arne Slot may well rotate heavily. Southampton have endured a dreadful Championship start, with just one win in six matches, giving record signing Alexander Isak a golden chance to open his scoring account. Elsewhere, Spurs host League One’s Doncaster, while Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal all face tricky away trips against Lincoln City, Huddersfield, and Port Vale respectively. Squad depth, mentality, and the performances of fringe players will be decisive.
Beyond the Round of 32, though, comes the real test. The Round of 16 lands squarely between the third and fourth Champions League group games, setting up a brutal run of fixtures: Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid, City vs Dortmund, and Liverpool vs Real Madrid, alongside the Premier League showdown between Spurs and Chelsea. Liverpool, in particular, face a nightmare stretch, with Villa, Real, and City all looming right after the Cup clash. If they draw another heavyweight in the Round of 16, their resilience will be pushed to the limit.
For now, the question lingers: can England’s giants avoid another upset against the minnows this week, or will the League Cup deliver more shocks? Football fans won’t have to wait long to find out.
