Chelsea are set to welcome Jack Wilshere's Luton Town to Stamford Bridge for a Carabao Cup second‑round clash, 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 slate of intriguing match‑ups across the country. Wilshere, the former Arsenal midfielder now managing his League One side, will be looking to make an early statement against a Chelsea team that has been eager to add another trophy to its cabinet. The Blues, who have already been knocked out of European contests this season, will be among eleven top‑flight clubs entering the competition at this stage, joining the victors from the first round.
Other notable fixtures include AFC Wimbledon, another League One outfit, travelling to Craven Cottage to face Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham. The encounter promises a classic underdog story, with Wimbledon hoping to cause an upset against a club that recently returned to the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Brentford, guided by Keith Andrews, will test their mettle against Birmingham City at St Andrew's – a tie that could prove tricky given Birmingham’s recent resurgence in form. Further south, Plymouth Argyle – fresh from a dramatic Devon derby win over Exeter that was broadcast live on Sky Sports – will host Premier League side Coventry City. West Ham United, on the other hand, will travel to Southampton for an all‑Championship showdown, highlighting the depth of competition even outside the top flight. Up north, Newcastle United have been drawn against Championship side West Bromwich Albion at St James' Park, offering a chance for the Magpies to assert dominance on home soil.
Leeds United will face fellow Premier League club Nottingham Forest in a purely top‑tier encounter, setting the stage for a high‑quality contest. Everton’s manager David Moyes will return to familiar territory as his Toffees head to Preston North End, the club where Moyes first cut his managerial teeth.
The nostalgic reunion adds an emotional layer to what could be a tightly contested match. The second‑round draw, like the first, was organized on a regional basis, splitting the fixtures into Southern and Northern sections. All games are scheduled for the week beginning 24 August, giving clubs a short window to prepare for the knockout action. Looking ahead, the remaining Premier League teams will join the fray in the third round, which will be spread over two weeks beginning 7 September and 14 September.
Clubs competing in the Champions League will enter the competition in the later of those weeks, ensuring a staggered introduction of the elite sides. Here is a quick rundown of the second‑round fixtures: - 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 delivered plenty of drama, with clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two all vying for a place in the next stage.
Notably, teams relegated from the Premier League last season – West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley – have all progressed, demonstrating their intent to bounce back quickly. Additionally, three League Two sides – Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town – have secured their spots, underscoring the unpredictable nature of cup football.
Fans can relive all the highlights from the opening round on the competition’s official platform, where goals, upsets and memorable moments are compiled for easy viewing. For those looking to add a little extra excitement, the Carabao Cup also offers a Super 6 game, giving participants a chance to win up to £250,000 with a free entry. Overall, the Carabao Cup’s second round promises a blend of high‑profile Premier League clashes and classic underdog narratives. With regional draws keeping travel manageable and matches slated for a compact week in late August, supporters can expect a flurry of football action as clubs chase early silverware and the chance to build momentum for the rest of the season.