Chelsea are set to welcome Jack Wilshere's Luton Town at 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 the former Arsenal midfielder’s League One side with the reigning Premier League champions, highlights the competition’s blend of top‑flight clubs and lower‑league hopefuls. Wilshere, now in charge of Luton Town, will guide his team onto the hallowed turf of Chelsea’s home ground. This match marks the entry of the eleven Premier League clubs that are not competing in Europe this season, who now join the victors of the first‑round fixtures.
The Caraboo Cup’s structure ensures that these clubs receive a relatively straightforward path into the later stages, but the presence of ambitious lower‑division teams always adds an element of unpredictability. Other intriguing fixtures have also been announced. In the Southern section, AFC Wimbledon, a club currently competing in League One, will travel to Craven Cottage to take on Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham side. Meanwhile, Brentford, managed by Keith Andrews, will face a potentially challenging encounter against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s, a venue that has historically been a fortress for the Blues.
Further down the draw, Plymouth Argyle, fresh from a thrilling Devon derby victory over Exeter City that was broadcast live on Sky Sports, will host Premier League newcomers Coventry City. West Ham United, on the other hand, will travel to Southampton for an all‑Championship tie, underscoring the cup’s knack for pitting clubs from different tiers against one another.
In the Northern draw, Newcastle United have been handed a home fixture against Championship side West Bromwich Albion, while Leeds United have been drawn against fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest, guaranteeing a high‑quality showdown. David Moyes’ Everton will travel to Preston North End, a club where Moyes began his managerial career, adding a nostalgic twist to the fixture. As with the first round, the second‑round draw remains regionalised, split into Southern and Northern sections to minimise travel and preserve local rivalries.
All second‑round matches are scheduled for the week commencing 24 August, giving clubs ample time to prepare for the early‑season cup action. Fans can stream the Carabao Cup without a long‑term contract, ensuring easy access to the competition’s early rounds. The remaining Premier League clubs will enter at the third‑round stage, which will be divided between the weeks beginning 7 September and 14 September. Those clubs involved in the Champions League will join in the later of the two weeks, aligning with their congested European schedules.
The third‑round fixtures, once drawn, will feature the following match‑ups: - 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 ties delivered plenty of drama, goals, and memorable moments as clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two fought for progression. Notably, clubs recently relegated from the Premier League—West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley—have all advanced, while three League Two sides—Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town—secured their places in the second round, showcasing the cup’s capacity for underdog stories.
Supporters can relive all the key highlights from the opening round on the competition’s official platform, where goals, controversial decisions and standout performances are compiled for easy viewing. Additionally, the tournament offers a Super 6 game where participants can enter for free for a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool, adding an extra layer of excitement for fans following the cup’s progress.
Overall, the Carabao Cup continues to provide a valuable opportunity for lower‑league clubs to test themselves against top‑flight opposition, while Premier League teams use the competition to rotate squads, assess new signings, and build momentum early in the season. With the second round set to commence in late August, football enthusiasts can look forward to a series of compelling fixtures that could produce surprising results and set the tone for the rest of the domestic campaign.