Arsenal face Brighton at the Emirates on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup fourth round, and it’s coming at a tricky time for Mikel Arteta’s side. The Gunners are unbeaten in ten matches and flying high in the Premier League, but the squad’s looking thinner than he’d like right now.

Their recent 1–0 win over Crystal Palace, which Softfootball described as a grind that champions find a way to win, summed up their character this season. Arsenal looked composed, even with several key absentees. Brighton, though, come into this tie licking their wounds after a 4–2 defeat at Old Trafford in a night where Softfootball highlighted Bruno Fernandes’ class in his 300th United appearance.

Team News

Arsenal’s injury list keeps growing. Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Jesus are all out with mostly knee or ligament issues, and Jurriën Timber might not make it either. Truth be told, that’s a big blow for Arteta, but he’s managed worse. His team have kept five clean sheets in a row, showing just how organised they have become.

Expect Kepa Arrizabalaga to stay in goal behind Ben White, Christian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, and 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly. Norgaard will anchor midfield with Eze and Merino. Up front, Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, and Viktor Gyökeres should lead the attack.

Brighton aren’t in perfect shape either. Adam Webster, Solly March, and Jack Hinshelwood are long-term absentees, while doubts remain over Kaoru Mitoma, Joel Veltman, and Diego Gómez. Fabian Hurzeler might stick with Simon Adingra, Georginio Rutter, and Danny Welbeck, who’s always up for a big night in North London.

Possible Lineups

Arsenal (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Norgaard, Merino; Nwaneri, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Steele; Wieffer, Dunk, Boscagli, De Cuyper; Milner, Ayari; Gomez, Rutter, Minteh; Welbeck.

Arsenal, via their official X account, posted Eberechi Eze’s first Premier League goal for Arsenal, a stunning volley against his former club Crystal Palace which marked a significant moment in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches and securing their 700th Premier League win.

Watch the video below:

Ebere Eze's first Premier League goal for The Arsenal: The Director's Cut pic.twitter.com/ZOJDYclWnZ

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 27, 2025

Softfootball’s Prediction

There’s a sense this could go either way. Brighton have hit some wild form in the cup—those back-to-back 6–0 wins show their depth—but Arsenal at home are a different animal. They have got structure, patience, and that bit of swagger you only get from an unbeaten run.

Prediction: Arsenal 2–1 Brighton.

Wycombe Wanderers head into this Carabao Cup fourth-round clash at Adams Park in confident mood. The Chairboys are unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions, including a commanding 3-0 victory over Huddersfield at the weekend, a result that has revived belief among their supporters, Softfootball reports.

That run has come at the perfect time as they prepare to face Premier League opposition, with the club eyeing a first quarter-final appearance in nearly two decades. Manager Michael Duff’s men have been well-drilled defensively and increasingly efficient in front of goal, setting the tone for what could be a memorable night in Buckinghamshire.

Still, Wycombe know the magnitude of the challenge. Despite their encouraging momentum, the gulf in quality remains vast. Fulham’s top-flight pedigree and squad depth mean any lapse in concentration could prove costly.

The hosts are expected to rely heavily on quick transitions and set-pieces to threaten the visitors, hoping to channel the spirit of the cup and deliver a shock result against a side desperate to rediscover form.

In what is going to be one of their biggest match in recent history, Wycombe Wanderers FC via its official X handle, posted the gaffer’s take on what to expect from premier league Fulham, fans will be hoping the team can cause a huge upset. They posted:

Full focus on Fulham

Hear what the gaffer had to say ahead of tomorrow's Carabao Cup clash pic.twitter.com/utVUA9F6Rj

— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) October 27, 2025

Fulham arrive at Adams Park under growing pressure following a miserable Premier League run that has seen them lose five consecutive league games, including a narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal during that stretch. The Cottagers have struggled for creativity and confidence in recent weeks, scoring just twice in those five outings while conceding nine times.

For manager Marco Silva, this Carabao Cup tie represents more than just progression, it’s a much-needed chance to reset morale and remind fans of the team’s potential after a worrying dip in domestic form.

Despite their struggles, Fulham have shown glimpses of promise in the cup, comfortably defeating Bristol City and Cambridge United in earlier rounds. The Portuguese boss is likely to name a stronger-than-expected lineup as he seeks a response from his side.

They’ll need to start fast, dominate possession, and avoid the sluggish play that has plagued them recently. Anything less than a professional performance could see Wycombe sense weakness and pounce on the Premier League side’s frailties.

Fulham’s coach Marco Silva spoke to the media ahead of the fourth round tie tomorrow, which was shared via the club’s official X handle. Watch the video below:

Marco previews tomorrow's #CarabaoCup Fourth Round.

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) October 27, 2025

Team News

Wycombe Wanderers are expected to stick with the core of the team that produced their recent unbeaten run. With no major injury concerns reported, Michael Duff could name a similar XI to the one that dispatched Huddersfield. Attacking options like Dale Taylor and Luke Leahy are likely to feature prominently as Wycombe look to maintain their positive rhythm.

Ahead of the game, Wycombe wanderers via its official X handle, shared an exclusive highlight video containing some of the most remarkable upset the club has had against premier league oppositions, fans and players will be excited and hoping one of this happens in tomorrow’s clash. Watch video below:

It could be one of those nights.

Our cup adventure continues at Adams Park against Fulham on Tuesday evening.

Come on Wycombe! pic.twitter.com/VEf6kiywwK

— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) October 27, 2025

Fulham, meanwhile, remain without key players including Antonee Robinson and Joachim Andersen, while Rodrigo Muniz faces a late fitness test. Marco Silva may rotate slightly but will keep several first-team regulars involved to ensure control and stability. Notably, Alex Iwobi, who recently reached a milestone 300 Premier League appearances, is also in contention to start. The Nigerian international could provide much-needed creativity in Fulham’s attack, players like Harrison Reed and Adama Traoré could also get valuable minutes.

Possible Lineups

Wycombe Wanderers (4-3-3): Norris; Harvie, Grimmer, Allen, Leahy; Henderson, Taylor, Lowry; Bell, Woodrow, Onyedinma

Fulham FC (4-2-3-1): Lecomte; Castagne, Diop, Cuenca, Sessegnon; Reed, Berge; Smith-Rowe, Traoré, Jiménez; Óliver

SoftFootball Prediction

Wycombe’s strong home form and fearlessness make them dangerous underdogs, but Fulham’s superior individual quality should eventually tell. That said, the Premier League side’s fragile confidence adds a layer of intrigue, and an early goal for the hosts could turn this into a real battle.

Prediction: Wycombe Wanderers 1–3 Fulham FC

Premier league outfit, Brentford to travel to face Grimsby Town at Blundell Park in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday, Softfootball reports.

The Bees, who defeated Liverpool 3-2 at the weekend must be wary of their giant-killing opponents after they eliminated Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday before reaching this round of 16.

Grimsby are unsurprisingly very excited by this fixture as they have advertised on their official X handle ahead of the match with a quarter-final place at stake.

Next Up: Brentford (H)

Our journey in the Carabao Cup continues under the Blundell Park lights! #GTFC pic.twitter.com/k1Dikoa5sM

— Grimsby Town F.C. (@officialgtfc) October 27, 2025

Head-to-Head

They have faced each other 59 times with Grimsby Town winning 30 of the matches while Brentford won 25 and four ended in a draw.

Star player

Fabio Carvalho is not a regular starter for Brentford in the premier league but he is always given the nod in Carabao Cup matches and he is the star of the show and even scored in the last round. Brentford will be banking on him to seal a quarter-final spot.

Grimsby Town play more as a unit and have no star players as they all work hard for each other and fight for everything because they know they have nothing to lose especially against top premier league oppositions.

Team News

Doug Tharme and Cameron Gardner are still sidelined by injuries for Grimsby Town. Jaze Kabia wand Jamie Walker are expected to be the front two for the home side.

Charles Vernam, who got on the scoresheet in their win over Manchester United and boasts five goals and five assists in league action this season is expected o start while Kieran Green and George McEachran are certain for a midfield role.

For Brentford, Keith Andrews may opt to rotations his squad with Josh Dasilva, Aaron Hickey and Antoni Milambo confined to the treatment room. Yehor Yarmolyuk is doubtful for the encounter. So, there might be starting roles in midfield for Frank Onyeka and Vitaly Janelt.

Also, Keane Lewis-Potter, Fabio Carvalho and Reiss Nelson could start against Grimsby, allowing the manager to rest key man Dango Ouattara, Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade.

Grimsby Town probable XI:

Pym; Rodgers, Warren, McJannet, Sweeney; McEachran, Green; Amaluzor, Walker, Vernam; Kabia

Brentford probable XI:

Valdimarsson; Kayode, Pinnock, Ajer, Henry; Janelt, Onyeka, Jensen; Lewis-Potter, Lewis-Potter, Carvalho

Softfootball prediction

The journey may end for Grimsby at this stage of the competition as Brentford are a very good team and with premier league experience, they are overwhelming favourites. Grimsby 1- 3 Brentford.