Chelsea are set to welcome Jack Wilshere’s Luton Town at Stamford Bridge for the Carabao Cup second round, 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 victors of the opening round, has produced a slate of intriguing fixtures across the country.
Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, now manager of League One side Luton Town, will be leading his team onto the famous Chelsea turf for what promises to be a classic cup showdown. The Blues, one of the eleven Premier League outfits that did not qualify for continental duty this season, will be looking to assert their dominance against a side eager to prove that they belong among the elite. Luton’s journey to this stage has already captured the imagination of neutral fans, and Wilshere’s tactical acumen will be tested against a Chelsea side that boasts both experience and youthful exuberance. Other notable match‑ups include AFC Wimbledon, another League One club, travelling to Craven Cottage to take on Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham.
The Fulham side, fresh from a solid start to their league campaign, will aim to avoid any cup upset, while Wimbledon will be hoping to replicate the giant‑killing feats that have become a hallmark of the Carabao Cup’s early rounds. Meanwhile, Keith Andrews’ Brentford will face a potentially tricky encounter with Championship side Birmingham City at St Andrew’s, a fixture that could set the tone for Brentford’s cup ambitions.
In the south‑west, Plymouth Argyle – fresh from a dramatic Devon derby victory over Exeter, broadcast live on Sky Sports – will host Premier League newcomers Coventry City. The match pits a League One side with a strong home record against a top‑flight opponent eager to make an early statement in the competition.
Elsewhere, West Ham United will travel to Southampton for an all‑Championship clash, a game that could prove a stern test for the Hammers as they seek to navigate the early stages of the tournament without the benefit of a home advantage. Turning to the northern section of the draw, Newcastle United have been handed a home tie against Championship side West Bromwich Albion. The Magpies will look to capitalize on familiar surroundings to progress, while West Brom will be determined to cause an upset and keep their cup hopes alive.
Leeds United, on the other hand, have drawn a fellow Premier League opponent in Nottingham Forest, setting up a high‑profile encounter that could attract considerable attention from neutral supporters. David Moyes’ Everton will travel to Preston North End, a club where Moyes began his managerial career. The reunion adds an extra layer of narrative to the fixture, with the Toffees manager hoping to guide his side past the team that gave him his first taste of senior management.
The match also offers Preston a chance to showcase their progress under recent ownership and prove they can compete against a top‑flight opponent. As with the first round, the second‑round draw has been regionalised, splitting the ties into Southern and Northern sections to reduce travel burdens and maintain local interest. All second‑round games are scheduled for the week commencing 24 August, giving clubs ample time to prepare and fans the opportunity to plan their match‑day itineraries.
Looking ahead, the remaining Premier League clubs will enter the competition in the third round, which will be spread over two weeks beginning on 7 September and 14 September. Those clubs involved in the Champions League will join in the later week, ensuring a staggered introduction of the biggest names in English football. The full list of second‑round fixtures 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 unexpected results as clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two battled 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 navigated the opening round successfully. Additionally, three League Two sides—Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town—have secured their spots in the draw, underscoring the inclusive nature of the competition.
Fans can relive all the highlights from the opening round on the official Carabao Cup platform, where goal compilations, key moments and post‑match analysis are available. For those looking to add an extra layer of excitement, the competition also offers a "Super 6" game where participants can enter for free for a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool.
With the second round set to kick off next week, anticipation is building across the country. Whether you are a supporter of a top‑flight giant or a lower‑league underdog, the Carabao Cup continues to provide a stage where anything can happen, and where every club, regardless of stature, has a genuine opportunity to chase silverware.