Chelsea are set to welcome Jack Wilshere's Luton Town at Stamford Bridge for the second round of the Carabao Cup, while a London derby will see Charlton Athletic travel to Tottenham Hotspur. This draw pits the former Arsenal midfielder, now in charge of a League One side, against one of the Premier League's traditional powerhouses, adding a fresh narrative to the early stages of the competition. Wilshere's Luton Town, having earned their place by navigating the first‑round fixtures, will be the underdogs against a Chelsea side that, like the other eleven Premier League clubs not involved in European play this season, enters the tournament at this stage. The structure of the draw mirrors the format used in the opening round, with clubs divided into Southern and Northern sections to reduce travel and create regional rivalries.
Among the other intriguing match‑ups in the Southern half, AFC Wimbledon from League One will travel to Craven Cottage to test Alvaro Arbeloa's Fulham. Wimbledon, known for their spirited cup runs, will look to cause an upset against a Fulham side that is rebuilding under a new managerial regime. In another potentially tricky encounter, Keith Andrews' Brentford will face Birmingham City at St Andrew's, a game that could prove demanding for the Premier League outfit given Birmingham's recent resurgence and solid home support. Further down the Southern bracket, 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.
This fixture offers Plymouth a chance to showcase their progress against a higher‑division opponent, while Coventry will aim to cement their status in the top flight with a convincing cup performance. Meanwhile, West Ham United will travel to Southampton for an all‑Championship clash, providing both clubs with an opportunity to fine‑tune their squads ahead of the league campaign. Moving north, the draw has produced a classic Premier League showdown as Leeds United have been paired with Nottingham Forest, another top‑flight side, guaranteeing a high‑quality encounter for fans.
Newcastle United, on the other hand, will host Championship side West Bromwich Albion at St James' Park, a match that could test Newcastle's defensive solidity against a team eager to bounce back to the Premier League. Everton's manager David Moyes will revisit his managerial roots by leading the Toffees to an away fixture at Preston North End, the club where he began his coaching career. This nostalgic tie adds an extra layer of intrigue for supporters of both clubs.
The second‑round schedule is set for the week commencing 24 August, with all fixtures regionalised to maintain the balance between travel logistics and competitive fairness. As the competition progresses, the remaining Premier League clubs that are involved in European competitions will join in the third round, which is split across the weeks beginning 7 September and 14 September. Those clubs competing in the Champions League will enter in the later week, ensuring they have adequate preparation time.
The full list of second‑round match‑ups includes: - 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 a wealth of drama, goals, and memorable moments as clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two battled for a place in the next stage. Notably, former Premier League sides that were relegated this summer – West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley – all progressed, demonstrating their intent to bounce back quickly. Additionally, three League Two clubs – Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town – secured their spots, highlighting the depth and competitiveness of English football's lower tiers.
Fans can catch all the highlights from the opening round on the competition’s official platforms, and the tournament continues to offer exciting opportunities for lower‑league teams to test themselves against top‑flight opposition. For those looking to add a bit of extra excitement, the Carabao Cup also features a Super 6 game where participants can win a share of a £250,000 prize pool at no cost to enter. Overall, the second round promises a blend of classic rivalries, potential giant‑killing scenarios, and a chance for clubs to gauge their squad depth ahead of the grueling season ahead.
Whether you are supporting a Premier League giant or cheering on a determined underdog, the Carabao Cup remains one of the most captivating early‑season tournaments in English football.