Blink and you might genuinely miss the Carabao Cup. After the upcoming round of fixtures, just eight teams will remain in the competition.

We’ve already seen Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur succumb in the second round and Manchester City, once a sure bet to lift the trophy in February, lose in the third round at Newcastle United. It’s a wide-open competition as we prepare for the fourth round of fixtures.

Here’s everything you need to know about the six cup ties scheduled on Wednesday.

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This is one of two standout fixtures in the fourth round: the Declan Rice derby.

Rice departed West Ham United last summer in favour of Arsenal, and the Englishman has made a stellar start to his career in north London. Mikel Arteta also hinted pre-match that the former Hammers skipper will feature at the London Stadium.

Rice’s former club have endured a pretty miserable run after the October international break and are winless in four. Defeat to Everton on Sunday saw further questions raised regarding the future of David Moyes.

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Chelsea’s home win over Brighton in the third round was genuinely a surprise. The Blues have a wretched record at Stamford Bridge this season, with Brentford the latest side to enjoy success on Chelsea’s home patch.

Nevertheless, that victory over the Seagulls inspired a three-game win streak, although any momentum gained was sapped after the international break when they surrendered a 2-0 lead to Arsenal in west London.

However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be expected to bypass Blackburn on Wednesday. The visitors have enjoyed an improved spell as of late, but they currently sit in mid-table in the Championship.

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Bournemouth’s sole victories this season before the weekend had arrived in the Carabao Cup. The Cherries have beaten the cities of Swansea and Stoke to set up this tie and head into it having secured their maiden Premier League win of the campaign.

Their victory over Burnley was laden with controversy, but three points is all Andoni Iraola will care about.

Thus, the pressure will be somewhat eased for this cup tie. There are no expectations for Bournemouth to win given the opponent. Liverpool are performing like title contenders, with their only defeat this term coming unjustly at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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Everton ground out a vintage Sean Dyche-led victory at West Ham on Sunday, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin landing the decisive blow. His fitness will be key to the Toffees‘ campaign.

Dyche’s men play host to another all-Premier League affair in the Carabao Cup fourth round as they welcome strugglers Burnley to Goodison Park.

Vincent Kompany must’ve felt his side deserved at least a point at Bournemouth on Saturday, with their eventual defeat compounding the Belgian’s woes. A cup run, however, would soften the blow should they succumb to the second tier.

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Kieran McKenna is continuing to work wonders at Portman Road. After guiding Ipswich into the Championship last season, McKenna now looks primed to lead them back into the Premier League.

The Tractor Boys sit second in the Champions, only behind record-breakers Leicester City, and they play host to this fourth-round tie having beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers to get here.

Many will fancy their chances of knocking off another Premier League opponent on Wednesday when Fulham come to town. Reliant on the midfield power of Joao Palhinha, the Cottagers sit 14th in the top tier having won just one of their last five league games.

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The other UK-televised fixture kicks off at 20:15, and it’s a repeat of the 2023 final. The sky was seemingly the limit for Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United when he led them to victory over Newcastle at Wembley back in February. Now, though, the dark clouds are beginning to descend over the Dutchman’s reign.

United were beaten again at Old Trafford on Sunday, albeit this time by their imperious neighbours, but the manner of the defeat underlined the quality difference between the two sides.

Thus, Wednesday’s game is a big one for Ten Hag, who is yet to lose in this competition. Newcastle overcame City in the third round, but a manic fixture list means it might not be the worst thing in the world if they exit the Carabao Cup pretty early on.