Chelsea are set to welcome Jack Wilshere's Luton Town at Stamford Bridge for the second‑round tie of the Carabao Cup, while a London derby will see Charlton Athletic travel to Tottenham Hotspur. The draw, which paired Premier League clubs not involved in European competition with the winners from the opening round, has produced a number of intriguing match‑ups across the country. Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, now manager of League One side Luton Town, will lead his team onto the hallowed turf of Stamford Bridge. Luton earned their place by navigating the first‑round fixtures, and they will now test a side that finished well above them in the league hierarchy.
The inclusion of the 11 Premier League clubs that are free from continental commitments adds a fresh layer of excitement, as these teams will be making their first appearance in the competition this season. Other notable fixtures include AFC Wimbledon, another League One outfit, travelling to Craven Cottage to take on Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham. The match promises a classic underdog story, with Wimbledon hoping to cause an upset against a side that has recently re‑established itself in the top flight.
Meanwhile, Brentford, guided by Keith Andrews, will face a potentially tricky encounter with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s, a venue that can be intimidating for any visitor. In the south, Plymouth Argyle, fresh from a dramatic Devon derby victory over Exeter that was broadcast live on Sky Sports, will host Premier League side Coventry City. The fixture offers Plymouth a chance to showcase their progress against a higher‑ranked opponent. West Ham United, on the other hand, will travel to Southampton for an all‑Championship clash, a game that could set the tone for both clubs as they look to build momentum early in the season.
Moving north, Newcastle United have been drawn against Championship side West Bromwich Albion on home soil, creating a test that could expose any lingering defensive frailties before the league campaign begins. Leeds United will enjoy a Premier League showdown with Nottingham Forest, a game that pits two top‑flight teams against each other and could serve as a benchmark for their early‑season form. Everton’s manager David Moyes will return to Preston North End, the club where he launched his managerial career. The Toffees will travel to Deepdale, adding a sentimental twist to the fixture as Moyes revisits the ground that shaped his early coaching philosophy.
The second‑round draw, like the first, has been split regionally into Southern and Northern sections to minimise travel and foster local rivalries. All second‑round matches are slated for the week commencing 24 August, giving clubs a narrow window to prepare for the intense knockout format. Fans looking to follow the action can stream the Carabao Cup without committing to a contract, ensuring easy access to every game. The competition will expand further in the third round when the remaining Premier League teams join the fray.
Those clubs involved in the Champions League will enter a week later, with the third‑round fixtures spread over the weeks beginning 7 September and 14 September. The upcoming third‑round match‑ups include: - Stoke City vs Hull City - Newcastle United vs West Bromwich Albion - Blackburn Rovers vs Sheffield United - Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United - Doncaster Rovers vs Middlesbrough - Sheffield Wednesday vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Fleetwood Town vs Shrewsbury Town - Walsall vs Leyton Orient - Cambridge United vs Millwall - Birmingham City vs Brentford - Southampton vs West Ham United - Watford vs Peterborough United - Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon - Tottenham Hotspur vs Charlton Athletic The first‑round fixtures delivered plenty of drama, with clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two all vying for a place in the next stage. Relegated Premier League sides such as West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley have already secured their progression, while three League Two teams—Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town—have also punched their tickets to the second round, underscoring the competition’s unpredictable nature. Supporters can catch up on all the highlights from the opening round through the competition’s official channels, ensuring they don’t miss any of the spectacular goals, last‑minute heroics or surprising upsets that have defined the early stages.
For those seeking a little extra excitement, the tournament’s promotional Super 6 game offers a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool, with free entry available to all fans. Overall, the Carabao Cup continues to provide a platform for lower‑league clubs to test themselves against higher‑ranked opposition, while giving top‑flight teams the opportunity to rotate squads and assess emerging talent. As the second round approaches, anticipation builds across the country, with each club hoping to advance deeper into the tournament and perhaps lift the trophy at the end of a season that promises plenty of footballing intrigue.