The stage is set for the Carabao Cup semi-final draw, with Chelsea already confirmed in the hat after a hard-fought victory. The remaining quarter-final fixtures will determine their potential opponents for a coveted two-legged tie and a shot at Wembley glory.
Chelsea Secure Semi-Final Berth After Cardiff Scare
Chelsea became the first team to book their place in the last four, but not without a significant fright. Manager Enzo Maresca saw his side survive a stern test away at Cardiff City, eventually securing a 3-1 win. The victory was powered by a decisive contribution from the substitutes' bench, highlighting the squad depth at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues' progress means they will feature in Wednesday evening's draw, anxiously awaiting to discover which team stands between them and the final.
Quarter-Final Deciders and Draw Details
Two more quarter-final matches are scheduled for Wednesday, 17 December 2025. Manchester City host Brentford at the Etihad, while the current holders, Newcastle United, face Fulham. The latter match has an unusual kick-off time of 8:15pm GMT.
The semi-final draw itself is scheduled to commence after the final whistle at St. James' Park. Organisers expect the draw to get underway at approximately 10:30pm GMT. One quarter-final, Arsenal's clash with Crystal Palace, has been postponed until next week due to fixture congestion, meaning one semi-finalist will not be known until after the draw is made.
How to Follow the Carabao Cup Draw Live
Fans in the UK can watch the draw unfold live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports News, as well as via the Sky Go streaming service. For those without a subscription, the draw will also be broadcast for free on the official Carabao Cup social media channels.
The semi-finals represent the only stage of the competition played over two legs, home and away, adding a layer of tactical intrigue. For Chelsea and the other qualifiers, the path to a major domestic cup final is now just 180 minutes of football away.
