The Carabao Cup returns this week with just eight teams vying for a place in the Semi-Final and a potential trip to Wembley next year.
Defending Champions Liverpool travel to managerless Southampton, and there's a repeat of the 2009 League Cup final on Thursday night as Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United. Elsewhere, Arsenal take on Crystal Palace and Newcastle face Brentford.
Below we've rounded up the top five talking points as the competition heats up...
READ MORE: Carabao Cup semi-final draw details - The English Football League
READ MORE: Battle of the Bands: Southampton v Liverpool - The English Football League
Can managerless Southampton overcome high-flyers Liverpool?
After a big defeat at the weekend, Russell Martin was relieved of his duties as manager of Southampton ahead of a crucial Quarter-Final clash against Liverpool.
The two sides are poles apart in the Premier League with Arne Slot's table-toppers looking to defend their Carabao Cup crown. Simon Rusk has been placed in interim charge of Saints and the players have a point to prove ahead of a new permanent replacement coming in.
Liverpool edged a recent league meeting winning 2-3 but Southampton will take confidence from their ability to put two goals past the Reds.
"When we analyse the game, it was not too long ago, so there will be aspects we want to retain, keep footprints of. But, we are in a different moment right now. We need to prepare in the most intelligent way possible," Rusk explained.

Brentford's Cup dream
The Bees are determined to repeat their success in the Carabao Cup three years ago when they reached the Semi-Final for the first time in their history.
They are one of two sides left in the competition to have never lifted a major trophy but manager Thomas Frank is determined to make it to Wembley, despite a tough trip to St James' Park to face Newcastle United.
"It's a very big game for us. The last couple of seasons especially this season we like to go on a cup run and really go far," Frank said
"We went to the first Semi-Final three years ago which was fantastic. We would like to do that again and it would be a massive achievement. It's a cup tournament and everything is possible and if we don't believe then we won't achieve it, but we do and we want to go for it."
Winning the Carabao Cup can create much-needed momentum for Arteta
Arsenal have struggled to replicate their form shown last season in the Premier League but have picked up convincing wins in the Carabao Cup, albeit against lower-league opposition.
It will be five years on Friday since Arteta took over at the Gunners and in that time they have lifted just one trophy - the FA Cup in 2020.
The Spaniard views this competition as a good springboard to further success. "It (winning a trophy) is really helpful because it brings belief, trust and positive energy," Arteta said.
"It creates that energy and the right path to go and do something else, particularly, because of the timing and when the competition is played in this country, it gets that momentum going."

Ruben Amorim's first chance at silverware
The Carabao Cup represents Amorim's first chance at silverware at Manchester United since taking over last month.
The Red Devils last lifted the trophy in 2023 - in former manager Erik ten Hag's debut season - and they are currently reeling from a last-minute victory over rivals Manchester City in the Premier League.
Amorim will have to overcome a determined Spurs side though and could rotate ahead of a busy period. Amad Diallo could play a key role having grabbed all the plaudits for his winner at the weekend.
Newcastle believe they can beat anyone
The Magpies know what it's like to suffer heartbreak at Wembley having finished runners-up to Manchester United in the 2023 final. They will be targeting a return to Europe this year and lifting the Carabao Cup could their route there.
A visit to St James' Park is tough for anyone and manager Eddie Howe is putting his full focus on their clash with Brentford believing his side are capable of beating anyone left in the competition if they are at their best.
"These games take huge importance when we get to the later stages. We know if we can hit the correct levels of performance like we did against Leicester, we are a match for anyone in this division," Howe said.