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 11 Premier League clubs not involved in European competition with the winners of the first‑round fixtures, produced a slate of intriguing match‑ups across the country. Wilshere, the former Arsenal midfielder turned manager, will lead his League One side into one of the biggest venues in English football.
Luton Town’s trip to Chelsea offers the young squad a chance to test themselves against top‑flight opposition and perhaps cause an upset at the home of the Blues. The fixture also highlights the Carabao Cup’s tradition of pitting lower‑league teams against elite clubs, providing valuable experience and exposure for emerging talent. Other notable ties include AFC Wimbledon, another League One outfit, heading to Craven Cottage to face Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham.
The match promises an entertaining contrast of styles, with Wimbledon’s gritty, hard‑working approach set against Fulham’s more possession‑based game. Meanwhile, Keith Andrews’ Brentford will travel to St Andrew’s for a potentially tricky encounter with Championship side Birmingham City. Brentford, who have been in strong form in the Premier League, will need to stay sharp to avoid a surprise defeat against a motivated Birmingham side eager to prove themselves against top‑tier opposition. 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 newcomers Coventry City.
The Argyle fans will be hoping to capitalize on their recent momentum, while Coventry will look to make an early impression in the competition. West Ham United, on the other hand, will travel to Southampton for an all‑Championship showdown, a fixture that could serve as a barometer for both clubs’ readiness for the upcoming season.
Up north, the draw paired Newcastle United with Championship side West Bromwich Albion at St James’ Park. The Magpies, who have been rebuilding under new management, will aim to assert their dominance at home, whereas West Brom will view the cup as an opportunity to test themselves against a top‑flight opponent.
Leeds United received a Premier League opponent in the form of Nottingham Forest, setting up a high‑stakes clash between two clubs with rich histories and ambitions to return to the top tier. Everton’s manager David Moyes will travel to Preston North End, a club that holds personal significance for him as the place where his managerial career began. The Toffees will seek to progress further in the cup, while Preston will look to make a statement against a historically stronger side.
As with the first round, the second‑round draw was regionalised, dividing the fixtures into Southern and Northern sections to minimise travel and preserve local rivalries. All second‑round games are scheduled for the week commencing 24 August, giving clubs a chance to fine‑tune their squads before the start of the league campaigns. The Carabao Cup will continue to offer free‑to‑watch streaming options, allowing fans to follow the action without a contractual commitment.
The competition’s third round will see the remaining Premier League clubs enter the fray. Those matches will be split between the weeks beginning 7 September and 14 September, with clubs involved in the Champions League joining in the later week to accommodate their European fixtures. The upcoming third‑round fixtures 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 ties delivered a mix of drama, high‑scoring encounters, and unexpected results as clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two vied for a place in the next stage. Relegated Premier League sides West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley all progressed, demonstrating that even after a tough season they remain competitive in cup competitions.
Additionally, three League Two teams—Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town—secured their spots, underscoring the depth and unpredictability of English football. Fans 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 memorable moments.
For those looking for a bit of extra excitement, the Carabao Cup also offers a Super 6 game where participants can win up to £250,000 at no cost, adding a fun, interactive element to the tournament experience. Overall, the Carabao Cup continues to provide a platform for lower‑league clubs to test themselves against elite opposition, while giving top‑flight teams a chance to rotate squads and discover emerging talent. With the second round set to kick off next week, supporters across the country can look forward to a series of compelling fixtures that could produce the classic giant‑killing stories that make English cup football so beloved.