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. The draw, which paired the 11 Premier League clubs not competing in Europe with the winners of the first‑round fixtures, has produced a slate of intriguing match‑ups across the country. Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, now manager of League One side Luton Town, will lead his team onto the hallowed turf of Chelsea.
The encounter marks a classic David‑versus‑Goliath scenario, with Luton looking to prove that their promotion‑winning form can translate into a cup upset against one of England's most storied clubs. The Cup tradition of pitting lower‑league sides against top‑flight opposition often yields memorable moments, and this tie promises to be no different.
Further down the southern bracket, AFC Wimbledon will travel to Craven Cottage to test Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham. Wimbledon, who have been a fixture in League One for several seasons, will be eager to showcase the grit that carried them from non‑league football to the professional ranks. Meanwhile, Brentford, now under the guidance of Keith Andrews, will face a potentially tricky encounter with Birmingham City at St Andrew's. The Brentford side, fresh from a promotion campaign, will need to navigate Birmingham’s experience and physicality to progress.
In the western region, Plymouth Argyle—still riding the high of a dramatic Devon derby victory over Exeter, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports—will host Premier League newcomers Coventry City. The match offers Plymouth a chance to test their mettle against top‑tier opposition on home soil.
Conversely, West Ham United will travel to Southampton for an all‑Championship showdown, a fixture that could serve as a barometer for both clubs’ ambitions to return to the top flight. The northern draw also offers its share of excitement. Newcastle United have been handed a home tie against Championship side West Bromwich Albion, providing the Magpies with an early opportunity to assert dominance before the league season begins.
Leeds United, on the other hand, will face fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest, setting up a high‑stakes clash between two clubs with rich histories and strong fanbases. Everton manager David Moyes will return to the club where his managerial career began, as the Toffees travel to Preston North End. This reunion adds a sentimental layer to the fixture, as Moyes looks to guide his side past the team that gave him his first taste of management.
The second‑round draw, like its predecessor, was split geographically into Southern and Northern sections to minimise travel and maintain regional rivalries. All second‑round matches are scheduled for the week commencing 24 August, giving clubs a brief window to prepare for the early‑season knockout action. Looking ahead, the remaining Premier League clubs will enter the competition at the third‑round stage.
Those fixtures will be spread across two weeks, beginning on the week of 7 September and concluding the following week, with clubs involved in the Champions League joining in the later slot. This staggered entry ensures that the competition remains balanced while accommodating the busy schedules of England’s elite teams.
Among the third‑round pairings announced are: - 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 matches delivered plenty of drama, with clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two battling for a coveted spot in the next phase. 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 places in the second round, underscoring the depth and unpredictability of English cup football. Fans can relive the highlights of the early rounds through the competition’s official channels, and those looking for extra excitement can participate in the Super 6 promotion, offering a chance to win a share of £250,000 at no cost.
The Carabao Cup continues to provide a platform for lower‑league clubs to test themselves against the nation’s best, while giving top‑flight teams an early opportunity to fine‑tune their squads ahead of the Premier League campaign.