Chelsea are set to welcome Jack Wilshere’s Luton Town at Stamford Bridge for the second‑round clash of the Carabao Cup, 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 winners of the opening round, promises a mixture of familiar faces and intriguing underdogs.
Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, now manager of League One side Luton Town, will lead his team onto the iconic Chelsea pitch. The match marks a rare opportunity for the newly promoted Luton to test themselves against a top‑flight opponent in a competitive setting. Wilshere’s side earned their place by progressing through the first‑round fixtures, and they will be eager to prove that their recent promotion is more than just a flash in the pan. Elsewhere in the southern section of the draw, AFC Wimbledon will travel to Craven Cottage to face Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham.
The Wimbledon side, also hailing from League One, will be looking to cause an upset against a club that has recently returned to the Premier League after a brief stint in the Championship. The fixture offers a classic "David versus Goliath" narrative that cup competitions love.
Brentford, under the guidance of Keith Andrews, have been handed a potentially tricky away tie against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s. While Brentford are currently enjoying a strong Premier League campaign, Birmingham’s experience in the Championship and their home advantage could make this a closely contested encounter. In another notable fixture, 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 match pits a determined League One outfit against a side that has recently tasted top‑flight football, adding another layer of intrigue to the second‑round schedule.
West Ham United, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, will face an all‑Championship showdown away at Southampton. Both clubs are eager to kick‑start their season with a cup win, and the fixture promises a high‑tempo, physically demanding encounter. Moving north, Newcastle United have been drawn at home against Championship side West Bromwich Albion.
The Magpies will look to capitalize on their home advantage, but West Brom’s reputation for resilience means the match could be far from a walk‑over. Meanwhile, Leeds United have been paired with fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest, ensuring a high‑quality contest between two top‑tier teams. Everton manager David Moyes will revisit his managerial roots as his Toffees travel to Preston North End, the club where Moyes began his coaching career.
The sentimental storyline adds an emotional edge to what could be a tightly fought match, especially given Everton’s desire to build early momentum in the cup. The second‑round draw, like the first, was regionalised into Southern and Northern sections to minimise travel and heighten local rivalries.
All fixtures are scheduled for the week commencing 24 August, giving teams a chance to fine‑tune their squads ahead of the league campaigns. Looking ahead, the remaining Premier League clubs will enter the competition in the third round, which will be split between the weeks beginning 7 September and 14 September.
Teams involved in the Champions League will join in the later week, ensuring a staggered entry that maintains competitive balance throughout the tournament. Below is a quick reference of the second‑round pairings: - 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 goals, upsets and memorable moments as clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two vied for a spot in the next stage.
Notably, clubs that recently fell from the Premier League – West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley – all secured progression, while three League Two sides – Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town and Shrewsbury Town – also earned their places in the draw, underscoring the competition’s unpredictable nature. Fans can relive all the highlights from the opening round on the official Carabao Cup platform, and there’s also a promotional Super 6 game offering a chance to win a £250,000 prize pool, free of charge.
This added incentive adds a layer of excitement for supporters following the tournament’s unfolding storylines. Overall, the second round sets the stage for a blend of seasoned Premier League talent and hungry lower‑league ambition. Whether it’s Luton Town seeking to make a statement at Stamford Bridge, or Tottenham hoping to assert dominance over Charlton in a classic London derby, the Carabao Cup continues to deliver compelling narratives and the promise of knockout football drama.