LC

League Cup

England · Football

Season 2025

League Cup — Today's Matches

Live scores, upcoming kick-offs, and finished results for today. Data refreshes automatically so you never miss a moment.

League Cup — Playoffs

1st Round

PPreston1
BBarrow0
1–0
CCharlton3
SStevenage1
3–1
SSouthampton1
NNorthampton0
1–0
MMillwall1
NCNewport County0
1–0
ECExeter City0
CCheltenham2
0–2
OUOxford United1
CColchester0
1–0
BCBristol City2
MDMilton Keynes Dons0
2–0
PPeterborough1
ASAccrington ST2
1–2
SSwansea3
CTCrawley Town1
3–1
MMiddlesbrough0
DDoncaster4
0–4
PVPort Vale1
BBlackpool0
1–0
QQPR2
PPlymouth3
2–3
RReading2
PPortsmouth1
2–1
CChesterfield0
MTMansfield Town2
0–2
BBirmingham2
SUSheffield Utd1
2–1
WWatford1
NNorwich2
1–2
WWycombe1
LOLeyton Orient0
1–0
CCardiff2
STSwindon Town1
2–1
BRBristol Rovers0
CUCambridge United2
0–2
LLincoln3
HTHarrogate Town1
3–1
WWigan1
NCNotts County0
1–0
CCrewe1
SCStockport County3
1–3
BBlackburn1
BBradford2
1–2
CCoventry1
LLuton0
1–0
SShrewsbury1
GGrimsby3
1–3

Quarter-finals

CCardiff1
CChelsea3
1–3
NNewcastle2
FFulham1
2–1
MCManchester City2
BBrentford0
2–0

Semi-finals

NNewcastle1
MCManchester City5
0–2,1–3
AArsenal4
CChelsea2
3–2,1–0

Final

AArsenal0
MCManchester City2
0–2

League Cup — Results

The latest 25 completed matches in the League Cup. The highest-scoring result was Wolves 3–4 Chelsea. Review recent scorelines to spot form trends, home advantage patterns, and upset results that can inform your next bet.

HomeScoreAway
Final
0 – 2
ArsenalA
0 – 2
MCManchester City
2026-03-22FT
Semi-finals
3 – 1
Manchester CityMC
3 – 1
NNewcastle
2026-02-04FT
1 – 0
ArsenalA
1 – 0
CChelsea
2026-02-03FT
2 – 3
ChelseaC
2 – 3
AArsenal
2026-01-14FT
0 – 2
NewcastleN
0 – 2
MCManchester City
2026-01-13FT
Quarter-finals
1 – 1
ArsenalA
1 – 1
CPCrystal Palace
2025-12-23PEN
2 – 1
NewcastleN
2 – 1
FFulham
2025-12-17FT
2 – 0
Manchester CityMC
2 – 0
BBrentford
2025-12-17FT
1 – 3
CardiffC
1 – 3
CChelsea
2025-12-16FT
4th Round
2 – 0
NewcastleN
2 – 0
TTottenham
2025-10-29FT
1 – 3
SwanseaS
1 – 3
MCManchester City
2025-10-29FT
2 – 0
ArsenalA
2 – 0
BBrighton
2025-10-29FT
0 – 3
LiverpoolL
0 – 3
CPCrystal Palace
2025-10-29FT
3 – 4
WolvesW
3 – 4
CChelsea
2025-10-29FT
1 – 2
WrexhamW
1 – 2
CCardiff
2025-10-28FT
0 – 5
GrimsbyG
0 – 5
BBrentford
2025-10-28FT
1 – 1
WycombeW
1 – 1
FFulham
2025-10-28PEN
3rd Round
0 – 2
Port ValePV
0 – 2
AArsenal
2025-09-24FT
3 – 0
TottenhamT
3 – 0
DDoncaster
2025-09-24FT
0 – 2
HuddersfieldH
0 – 2
MCManchester City
2025-09-24FT
4 – 1
NewcastleN
4 – 1
BBradford
2025-09-24FT
2 – 1
LiverpoolL
2 – 1
SSouthampton
2025-09-23FT
2 – 0
WrexhamW
2 – 0
RReading
2025-09-23FT
1 – 2
LincolnL
1 – 2
CChelsea
2025-09-23FT
0 – 6
BarnsleyB
0 – 6
BBrighton
2025-09-23FT
View all match results→

League Cup — Team Stats

Side-by-side performance comparison of all 76 teams in the League Cup. Manchester City leads with 6 wins this season. The colour-coded heatmap highlights wins, losses, draws, goals scored and conceded, goal difference, and win percentage — making it easy to spot the strongest and weakest teams at a glance for betting analysis.

League Cup — Betting Insights

League Cup 2025 — key betting statistics across 73 matches played. Games average 2.85 goals, with 43.8% seeing both teams score and 56.2% finishing with over 2.5 goals. Home sides win 50.7% of the time while 0.0% of matches end in a draw. Clean sheets are kept in 56.2% of games, and the most common scoreline is 2-1. Use these metrics to calibrate over/under, BTTS, and correct-score strategies.

2.85Goals / Match
43.8%Both Score %
56.2%Over 2.5 / 5.5 %
80.8%Over 1.5 %
28.8%Over 3.5 %
50.7%Home Win %
0.0%Draw %
49.3%Away Win %
56.2%Clean Sheet %
0.0%0-0 %
1.34Avg Home Goals
1.51Avg Away Goals
9.8Corners/Match
3.4Cards/Match
51.0%Home Poss.
49.0%Away Poss.
+17.40Home Advantage

Most Common Scorelines

The most frequently occurring final scorelines sorted by frequency. Each bar shows the number of matches and percentage ending with that exact score. Common scorelines help calibrate correct-score betting — a scoreline appearing in 15% or more of matches may offer value at typical odds.

2-1
12.3%(9)
2-0
12.3%(9)
0-2
12.3%(9)
0-1
11.0%(8)
3-1
9.6%(7)
1-2
8.2%(6)
1-0
8.2%(6)
1-3
4.1%(3)
3-2
4.1%(3)
0-3
4.1%(3)
2.85
Avg goals / game
208
Total goals
98
Home goals
110
Away goals
Try our Poisson predictor →

League Cup — Season Trends

Goals distribution across 15-minute periods of play, revealing when goals are most likely to be scored. This is critical for live betting strategies — leagues with high concentrations of late goals (76-90 min) may offer value in late-goal markets, while first-half dominant leagues favor early cash-out strategies.

0-15
15.4%
16-30
13.5%
31-45
14.4%
46-60
16.3%
61-75
16.3%
76-90
24.0%

Top Scorers

The top 15 goalscorers in the League Cup 2025 season. D. Gómez leads with 5 goals, followed by A. Garnacho (4) and R. Cherki (3). These 15 players have scored 36 goals combined — key data for anytime goalscorer bets and understanding which teams depend on a single attacker.

  1. 1DG
    D. GómezBrighton
    5goals
  2. 2AG
    A. GarnachoChelsea
    4goals
  3. 3RC
    R. CherkiManchester City
    3goals
  4. 4ST
    S. TzimasBrighton
    2goals
  5. 5TG
    Tyrique GeorgeChelsea
    2goals
  6. 6RS
    R. StreetLincoln
    2goals
  7. 7KM
    K. MooneyAccrington ST
    2goals
  8. 8JC
    J. ColwillCardiff
    2goals
  9. 9ZV
    Z. VipotnikSwansea
    2goals
  10. 10CB
    C. BurgessSwansea
    2goals
  11. 11NO
    N. O'ReillyManchester City
    2goals
  12. 12JL
    J. Strand LarsenWolves
    2goals
  13. 13J
    JoelintonNewcastle
    2goals
  14. 14BC
    B. CloseDoncaster
    2goals
  15. 15JR
    J. RussellBarnsley
    2goals

Top Assists

The leading assist providers in the League Cup 2025 season. T. Watson tops the chart with 3 assists, followed by R. Colwill (2) and Andrey Santos (2). Assist leaders are often key creators whose involvement boosts their team's goalscoring — valuable context for both goalscorer and team performance markets.

  1. 1TW
    T. WatsonBrighton
    3Assists
  2. 2RC
    R. ColwillCardiff
    2Assists
  3. 3AS
    Andrey SantosChelsea
    2Assists
  4. 4JB
    J. Bynoe-GittensChelsea
    2Assists
  5. 5HH
    H. HowellBrighton
    2Assists
  6. 6DR
    D. RiceArsenal
    2Assists
  7. 7RB
    R. BarnettWrexham
    2Assists
  8. 8BG
    Bruno GuimarãesNewcastle
    2Assists
  9. 9JL
    J. LermaCrystal Palace
    2Assists
  10. 10AE
    A. EmakhuMillwall
    2Assists
  11. 11EA
    E. AgbadouWolves
    2Assists
  12. 12ST
    S. TonaliNewcastle
    2Assists
  13. 13DC
    D. CoppolaBrighton
    2Assists
  14. 14ML
    M. Lewis-SkellyArsenal
    2Assists
  15. 15PD
    P. DialloNorwich
    2Assists

Top Cards

Disciplinary leaders in the League Cup 2025 season. Kepa has received the most yellow cards with 3, followed by Matheus Nunes (3) and Estêvão (3) — 34 yellows in total among listed players. On the red card side, A. Nallo leads with 1. Card counts are essential for bookings markets and assessing which players are suspension risks.

Yellow Cards

  1. 1K
    KepaArsenal
    3
  2. 2MN
    Matheus NunesManchester City
    3
  3. 3E
    EstêvãoChelsea
    3
  4. 4MC
    Marc CucurellaChelsea
    3
  5. 5LD
    L. DelapChelsea
    2
  6. 6EK
    E. KhouriGrimsby
    2
  7. 7AK
    A. KhusanovManchester City
    2
  8. 8KT
    K. TrippierNewcastle
    2
  9. 9J
    JoelintonNewcastle
    2
  10. 10RK
    R. KpakioCardiff
    2

Red Cards

  1. 1AN
    A. NalloLiverpool
    1
  2. 2GH
    G. HolohanCrawley Town
    1
  3. 3SI
    S. InwoodBolton
    1
  4. 4LD
    L. DelapChelsea
    0
  5. 5JW
    J. WoodsAccrington ST
    0
  6. 6KA
    Karoy AndersonCharlton
    0
  7. 7HE
    H. EkitikeLiverpool
    0
  8. 8JA
    J. AraujoBournemouth
    0
  9. 9K
    KepaArsenal
    0
  10. 10MN
    Matheus NunesManchester City
    0
Betting Analytics →

League Cup — Teams

All 76 teams competing in the League Cup 2025 season. Click any club to view their full squad, match history, and detailed statistics.

NNewcastleBBournemouthFFulhamHHuddersfieldWWatfordWWolvesLLiverpoolSSouthamptonAArsenalCCardiffBBurnleyEEvertonTTottenhamWHWest HamCChelseaMCManchester CityBBrightonCPCrystal PalaceRReadingBBirminghamBBrentfordBCBristol CityMMillwallPPrestonWWiganSUSheffield UtdNFNottingham ForestBBlackburnDDerbyMMiddlesbroughNNorwichQQPRRRotherhamSWSheffield WednesdaySCStoke CitySSwanseaBBarnsleyBABurton AlbionAWAFC WimbledonBRBristol RoversCCharltonNNorthamptonOUOxford UnitedBBradfordCChesterfieldCCoventryMDMilton Keynes DonsOOldhamPPeterboroughPVPort ValeSShrewsburySTSwindon TownDDoncasterPPortsmouthBBlackpoolPPlymouthWWycombeLLutonASAccrington STCColchesterCTCrawley TownCCreweECExeter CityGGrimsbyNCNewport CountySStevenageCUCambridge UnitedCCheltenhamLOLeyton OrientMTMansfield TownNCNotts CountyLLincolnBBarrowWWrexhamHTHarrogate TownSCStockport County

League Cup — Referees

View all referees

Top 10 referees officiating in the League Cup, led by J. Brooks. Compare cards issued, goals per match, and strictness to anticipate how the assigned referee might influence match flow and card-related bets.

1J. Brooks
Officiated
12
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
44
2A. Backhouse
Officiated
11
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
34
3B. Toner
Officiated
10
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
20
4R. Joyce
Officiated
10
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
34
5C. Breakspear
Officiated
9
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
22
6R. Jones
Officiated
8
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
30
7S. Stockbridge
Officiated
8
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
25
8S. Hooper
Officiated
8
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
27
9W. Finnie
Officiated
7
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
29
10S. Barrott
Officiated
7
0
0
Y/M
0.00
R/M
0.00
Goals
22

League Cup — Past Seasons

Browse 8 archived seasons of the League Cup, from 2017 to 2024. Each season page includes full standings, top scorers, and match results — useful for comparing historical performance and identifying long-term betting patterns.

History 18 Mar 2026

Founded1960

The League Cup was established in 1960 by Alan Hardaker, the Football League's former Secretary, as a midweek tournament to provide additional revenue and competitive opportunities for Football League clubs. Originally contested as a two-legged knockout competition, it faced initial resistance from clubs who feared it would distract from league and European commitments. The competition evolved significantly over its first two decades, expanding from 16 to 92 participating clubs and eventually becoming a single-leg format (except for the final) in the 1980s. The League Cup received multiple title sponsors throughout its history, including Milk Cup (1982–1986), Littlewoods Cup (1987–1994), Coca-Cola Cup (1998–2004), and Carling Cup (2003–2012), before Carabao Energy Drink secured naming rights in 2017. Despite occasional calls for its abolition, the competition has established itself as a crucial development platform for emerging talent and a genuine prize for Premier League clubs.

  • —1960 — League Cup founded as a midweek tournament to generate revenue for Football League clubs
  • —1967 — Queen's Park Rangers become the first team to win the cup on a penalty shoot-out
  • —1986 — Liverpool defeat Everton 3–1 to claim their fifth title, establishing dominance in the competition
  • —2014 — Manchester City defeat Sunderland 3–1 in the final, beginning a period of sustained success
  • —2024 — Liverpool defeat Chelsea 1–0 in extra time to secure a record-extending 10th title
  • —2025 — Liverpool retain the trophy, defeating Tottenham 4–1 on aggregate in the final

Competition Format 18 Mar 2026

Teams92

The Carabao Cup operates as a single-elimination knockout tournament involving all 20 Premier League clubs, 24 Championship clubs, 24 League One clubs, and 24 League Two clubs. The competition begins with preliminary qualifying rounds for lower-league teams, progressing through first and second rounds before the top-flight clubs enter at the third round. All matches are single-leg fixtures except for the final, which is played as a single match at a neutral venue. Ties are decided by extra time and penalty shootout if necessary. The competition provides lower-league clubs with genuine opportunities to face and potentially eliminate Premier League opposition, creating memorable cup upsets and generating substantial revenue through gate receipts and television rights.

Records 18 Mar 2026

Most titlesLiverpool (11)All-time top scorerIan Rush (49 goals)

Ian Wright holds the record for goals-per-game efficiency with 38 goals in 47 appearances, while Ray Clemence holds the record for goalkeeper appearances with 61 matches across his career.

Analysis 18 Mar 2026

Current Season Analysis

The 2024/25 Carabao Cup final has already concluded with Liverpool securing their 11th title by defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4–1 on aggregate in a dominant display. The Merseyside club's triumph represents a remarkable back-to-back achievement, having won the previous season's final against Chelsea 1–0 in extra time. Liverpool's sustained excellence in this competition underscores their status as the most successful team in the League Cup's 65-year history, with their consistent pathway to the latter stages reflecting both squad depth and tactical excellence under their management structure.

The 2024/25 season showcased the competition's traditional strength in delivering compelling narratives involving both Premier League heavyweights and ambitious challengers from lower divisions. Manchester City reached the semi-finals, where they defeated Newcastle United 2–0 in the second leg after a tightly contested first encounter, demonstrating the elite clubs' technical superiority in knockout football. Arsenal also progressed deep into the competition, reaching the final stages before their eventual elimination, reflecting the calibre of teams competing for the trophy.

The semi-final matchups exemplified the League Cup's unique appeal: Newcastle United provided a genuine threat to the established order, pushing Manchester City hard before ultimately falling short. The Magpies' progression through the earlier rounds demonstrated the competitive quality across the Premier League's mid-table clubs, while their semi-final performances against both City and Arsenal suggested a squad capable of competing at the highest level. This dynamic between established elite clubs and rising challengers remains central to the competition's enduring appeal.

Lower-league representation throughout the tournament maintained the League Cup's tradition of providing genuine opportunities for clubs outside the Premier League. The preliminary qualifying rounds and early stages featured memorable encounters between Football League clubs and top-flight opposition, with several lower-division teams pushing their more illustrious counterparts before inevitable eliminations. These fixtures generate crucial revenue for lower-league clubs while maintaining the competition's democratic structure and appeal to supporters across all four tiers of English football.

The 2024/25 season's progression through to Liverpool's final victory reinforced the Carabao Cup's position as a secondary but genuinely prestigious domestic trophy. The competition's ability to attract significant broadcast viewership, substantial sponsorship investment from Carabao, and genuine competitive commitment from all participating clubs ensures its continued relevance in the English football calendar. With the final contested between Liverpool and Tottenham—two clubs with rich histories in the competition—the season demonstrated that the League Cup retains the capacity to produce compelling finals featuring teams of genuine quality and historical significance.

Historical Significance and Evolution

The League Cup's journey from its establishment in 1960 to its current status as the Carabao Cup reflects broader transformations in English football. Created during an era when midweek fixtures were less common and television coverage significantly more limited, the competition initially faced skepticism from clubs and supporters who viewed it as an unnecessary addition to an already congested fixture list. However, Alan Hardaker's vision proved prescient: the League Cup evolved into a competition that served multiple purposes—generating revenue for Football League clubs, providing development opportunities for emerging players, and offering a genuine prize for clubs unable to compete for the Premier League title.

The competition's format has undergone several significant modifications over its history. The original two-legged knockout structure, which extended matches across multiple weeks and generated substantial aggregate attendance figures, eventually gave way to single-leg fixtures for efficiency and scheduling reasons. The introduction of a neutral final venue transformed the competition's climax into a Wembley spectacle, elevating its profile and creating a genuine showpiece event. These format changes reflect the evolution of English football's commercial and broadcasting landscape, with television rights becoming an increasingly significant revenue stream.

Commercial Development and International Reach

The Carabao Cup's commercial trajectory demonstrates the competition's growing value within English football's ecosystem. The transition from early title sponsors like the Milk Cup and Littlewoods Cup to the current Carabao partnership reflects the competition's ability to attract major international brands willing to invest substantial sums for naming rights and global brand exposure. Carabao's extension of its sponsorship deal through 2029 underscores the beverage company's commitment to the competition and its recognition of the League Cup's marketing value.

Sky Sports' dominance of broadcast rights—secured through a five-year, £935 million agreement—positions the Carabao Cup as a significant revenue generator for the English Football League. This broadcasting investment ensures comprehensive coverage across multiple platforms and time slots, maximizing audience reach and generating substantial returns for participating clubs. The competition's international broadcast partnerships extend its reach to markets across Europe, Asia, and beyond, introducing the League Cup to global audiences and establishing it as a recognizable fixture in English football's international profile.

Club Records and Individual Achievements

Liverpool's dominance in the League Cup stands unmatched in English football history. The club's 11 titles—won across seven decades—reflect sustained excellence and a consistent ability to navigate knockout football's inherent unpredictability. Liverpool's success in the competition extends beyond trophy wins; the club has developed numerous players who progressed from League Cup appearances to become legends of English and world football. This development pathway underscores the competition's value as a platform for emerging talent.

Individual records within the League Cup highlight the competition's role in defining careers. Ian Rush's 49-goal tally remains a remarkable achievement, reflecting his prolific finishing and consistent presence in Liverpool's cup campaigns throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Stuart Pearce's 69 appearances demonstrate the competition's capacity to provide sustained opportunities for players across multiple seasons and career phases. These records celebrate not merely statistical achievement but the depth of commitment required to accumulate significant totals in a knockout competition where progression depends on consistent performance and tactical effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many teams compete in the League Cup?

The Carabao Cup involves 92 clubs: all 20 Premier League teams, 24 from the Championship, 24 from League One, and 24 from League Two. Lower-league clubs enter in earlier qualifying rounds.

Which club has won the League Cup the most times?

Liverpool holds the record with 11 League Cup titles, most recently winning the competition in 2024/25 by defeating Tottenham Hotspur in the final.

How does the League Cup format work?

The Carabao Cup is a single-elimination knockout tournament with all matches played as single legs except the final. Ties are decided by extra time and penalty shootout if necessary, with lower-league clubs entering in preliminary rounds and Premier League clubs joining at the third round.

What is the biggest win in League Cup history?

Liverpool's 10–0 victory over Fulham in 1986 remains the largest single-match margin of victory in the competition's history.

Who is the League Cup's all-time top scorer?

Ian Rush, the legendary Welsh striker, holds the record with 49 goals across his League Cup career, primarily during his time at Liverpool.

Is there European qualification for the League Cup?

No, the League Cup does not offer direct European qualification. The competition's primary value lies in domestic prestige and the pathway it provides for lower-league clubs to challenge elite opposition.

API data: 26 Apr 2026 · Stats updated: 1 May 2026 · Content updated: 18 Mar 2026