Carabao Cup 2025-2026: Barnsley-Brighton, the likely lineups
Third round of the Carabao Cup for Barnsley and Brighton, who are vying for a place in the round of 16 of the national cup organized by the English Football League, involving clubs from the first to the fourth tier. On paper it is an easy match for Brighton, a Premier League outfit, but the South Yorkshire Reds, registered in League One (the equivalent of C), promise battle.
Coached by Ireland’s Conor Houlihane, known for his footballing history with Aston Villa between 2017 and 2022, Barnsley are currently in the League One playoff zone, dragged by the goals of Davis Keillor-Dunn: the 1997-born striker will have the main responsibility of the offensive sector, while being supported by McGoldrick, Phillips and Vickers.
As for Brighton, coach Fabian Hürzeler is ready to shuffle the cards a bit compared to the league, giving space to those who have played a bit less this early in the season. In the starting eleven there could also be room for Italy’s Diego Coppola, whom the Seagulls’ coach may decide to deploy in front of the defense.
Probable lineups
BARNSLEY (4-2-3-1): Cooper; Ogbeta, Earl, Shepherd, Watson; Connell, Bland; McGoldrick, Phillips, Vickers; Keillor-Dunn. All. Houlihane.
BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Steele; Wieffer, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Veltman; Coppola, Gruda; Ayari, Milner, Gomez; Tzimas. All. Hürzeler.
