Chelsea are set to welcome Jack Wilshere’s Luton Town to Stamford Bridge for a second‑round Carabao Cup clash, while a London derby will see Charlton Athletic travel to Tottenham Hotspur. The draw, which paired the Premier League clubs not involved in European competition with the winners of the first‑round fixtures, has produced a string of intriguing match‑ups across the country. Wilshere, the former Arsenal midfielder who now manages his hometown side in League One, will lead Luton into a daunting test against a Chelsea side eager to make a strong start to the season.
The Blues, who sit comfortably outside the European qualification spots, will be looking to rotate their squad while still fielding a competitive XI capable of progressing to the next round. For Luton, the occasion represents a rare chance to test their mettle against top‑flight opposition and potentially pull off a classic cup upset. Other notable fixtures in the southern section include AFC Wimbledon travelling to Craven Cottage to face Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham.
Wimbledon, who have been punching above their weight in League One, will hope to exploit any complacency from a Fulham side that is still fine‑tuning its attacking options. Meanwhile, Brentford, under the stewardship of Keith Andrews, will face a potentially tricky encounter with Championship side Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.
The Bees will need to balance ambition with caution, as Birmingham’s physical style could prove a stern test for the Brentford side. Further south, Plymouth Argyle—fresh from a dramatic Devon derby victory over Exeter that was broadcast live on Sky Sports—will host Premier League newcomers Coventry City.
The match offers Plymouth an opportunity to showcase the progress they have made since their promotion, while Coventry will be keen to prove that they belong in the top tier by dispatching a lower‑league opponent. In another Championship showdown, West Ham United will travel to Southampton for an all‑Championship tie, a game that could set the tone for both clubs as they aim to build momentum early in the campaign. Moving up north, the draw has produced a handful of high‑profile fixtures.
Newcastle United have been handed a home tie against Championship side West Bromwich Albion, a game that could test the Magpies’ defensive solidity against a well‑organised Albion side. Leeds United, on the other hand, will enjoy an all‑Premier League showdown with Nottingham Forest, a clash that promises to be a showcase of quality football and could provide an early indicator of each team’s form heading into the league season.
Everton manager David Moyes will return to the club where he launched his managerial career, as his Toffees travel to face Preston North End. The reunion adds a sentimental element to the tie, and Moyes will be looking to guide his side past a resilient Preston outfit that is eager to upset a top‑flight opponent. The second‑round draw, like the first, was organised on a regional basis, splitting the ties into Southern and Northern sections to reduce travel burdens.
All matches are scheduled for the week commencing 24 August, giving clubs a clear timetable to plan squad rotations and training schedules. Looking ahead, the remaining Premier League clubs that are competing in European competitions will enter the Carabao Cup at the third‑round stage. Those fixtures will be spread across two weeks, beginning the week of 7 September and continuing the week of 14 September, with the Champions League participants slated to join in the later window.
This staggered entry ensures that the competition remains balanced and gives lower‑league teams a chance to advance further before the heavyweight clubs arrive. The third‑round lineup includes a series of exciting match‑ups: Stoke City versus Hull City, Newcastle United against West Bromwich Albion, Blackburn Rovers facing Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest taking on Leeds United, Doncaster Rovers meeting Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday playing Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fleetwood Town versus Shrewsbury Town, Walsall against Leyton Orient, Cambridge United versus Millwall, Birmingham City versus Brentford, Southampton versus West Ham United, Watford versus Peterborough United, Fulham against AFC Wimbledon, and Tottenham Hotspur hosting Charlton Athletic.
The first round of the tournament delivered plenty of drama, with clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two battling for a place in the next stage. Notably, teams that were relegated from the Premier League last season—West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley—have all progressed, demonstrating the depth of quality still present in the competition.
Additionally, three League Two sides—Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town—have secured their spots in the second round, underscoring the unpredictable nature of cup football. Fans can catch all the highlights from the opening round on the competition’s official platforms, and there is also a promotional Super 6 game offering a chance to win a £250,000 prize pool, available for free entry. The Carabao Cup continues to provide a blend of excitement, opportunity for lower‑league clubs, and a chance for top teams to fine‑tune their squads ahead of the grueling season ahead.