BBC host Mark Chapman jokes he’s ‘glad Rod Stewart’s not beside me’ for complicated Carabao Cup draw as fans slam ‘fix’

FANS blasted the Carabao Cup third-round draw as a “fix” after the complicated new format was introduced by BBC host Mark Chapman.

The presenter even joked that he was “glad Rod Stewart and Martin O’Neill were not beside” him before he explained the changes.

Mark Chapman was tasked with explaining the new Carabao Cup format

Sir Stewart, 79, became and internet sensation after delivering the  2017 the Scottish Cup draw after a “few bevvies”.

Sir Stewart ballsed it up after mixing up the numbers, shouting the wrong names out and putting his thumbs up to the camera.

Former Ireland boss O’Neill had his own comical gaffe for last season’s Carabao Cup draw.

The Irishman put each team ball to his mouth when it came out of the hat thinking it was a microphone to the amusement of fans.

Chapman didn’t want any repeats of these events and needed no distractions as he made subtle digs the new-look design.

Expansive changes to the Champions League and Europa League this season have sparked up the need for this revised Carabao Cup format. 

To avoid fixture clashes for the six English teams playing in Europe, two bowls were used for the league draw on Wednesday. 

The first bowl only included the six Prem sides who qualified for the Champions League and Europa League.

The other 26 teams were relegated to the second part of the draw.

As such the first four teams picked were from the European bowl, which meant Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United lucked out with home fixtures.

Sky SportsHow the draw was laid out before teams were selected[/caption]

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

In a bid to make it a tad bit fairer, the final two games swapped so that two other European teams would be drawn away.

Aston Villa and Tottenham were the last two European qualifiers left to be selected, so they face Wycombe Wanderers and Coventry City away.

Chelsea were not included in the first “Europe” bowl as their Conference League round begins later on in the season.

However, fans are horrified by the new approach but absolutely loved Chapman’s presenting skills.

One fan wrote on X: “Even Mark Chapman knows this draw is a farce, he’s laughing as he’s describing it.”

A second said: “Bloody love Mark Chapman. He knows this draw is wrong.”

A third replied: “Chapman taking the p** out of the format is hilarious .”

While another noted: “The draw is biased and embarrassing. As a result of ensuring they can’t draw each other. All those teams should be away and allow the smaller teams a chance of a home giant-killing and important revenue.

The Premier League teams not in European competitions entered the Carabao Cup in the second round.

Meanwhile, two additional matchweeks have been added to the calendar for the two European competitions as that is drawn on Thursday.

Carabao Cup draw in full

Liverpool v West Ham United

Manchester City v Watford

Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers

Manchester United v Barnsley

Wycombe Wanderers v Aston Villa

Coventry City v Tottenham Hotspur

Walsall v Leicester City

Brentford v Leyton Orient

Blackpool v Sheffield Wednesday

Preston North End v Fulham

Everton v Southampton

Queens Park Rangers v Crystal Palace

Stoke City v Fleetwood Town

Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers

AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle United

Chelsea v Barrow