Carabao Cup Second Round Draw In Full As Premier League Sides Enter

Written By James Chittick | Published at August 11, 2026

carabao cup draw second round — Burton Upon Trent, UK, 4, January, 2025:A pyramid of EFL Footballs prior to team warm up before the EFL League One match Burton Albion v Northampton Town

The second round draw for the Carabao Cup has produced one standout pairing, with Nottingham Forest set to meet Leeds United in the only Premier League clash of the round.

Forest, four‑time winners of the competition, will host the tie as they look to progress in a tournament they have historically enjoyed.

Premier League Chelsea, five‑time winners, have been handed a home match against League One side Luton Town at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham Hotspur will also play at home, welcoming Championship club Charlton Athletic to north London.

Everton manager David Moyes faces a sentimental return to Deepdale, where his managerial career began, as his side travel to Preston North End.

Newcastle United have been drawn against West Bromwich Albion, while Fulham will host AFC Wimbledon at Craven Cottage.

Brentford must navigate a potentially awkward away fixture at Birmingham City, and Ipswich Town will take on League One opponents Leicester City.

In the southern section, West Ham United, fresh from their first‑round win over Portsmouth, will head to Southampton for an all‑Championship encounter.

The draw was again divided into northern and southern regions, with all fixtures scheduled for the midweek beginning Monday, 24 August.

Clubs involved in European competitions will not enter until the third round.

Carabao Cup Second Round Draw

Northern section draw

Stoke v Hull
Newcastle v West Brom
Blackburn v Sheffield United
Nottingham Forest v Leeds
Fleetwood v Shrewsbury
Bradford v Burnley
Sheffield Wednesday v Wolves
Blackpool v Lincoln
Preston v Everton
Barnsley v Crewe
Doncaster v Middlesbrough

Southern section draw

Stevenage v Reading
Cardiff v Norwich
Ipswich v Leicester
Walsall v Leyton Orient
Cambridge v Millwall
Birmingham v Brentford
Southampton v West Ham
Watford v Peterborough
Fulham v AFC Wimbledon
Plymouth/Exeter v Coventry
Chelsea v Luton
Tottenham v Charlton

Scheduling complications have already emerged. Fulham v Chelsea was selected for live Premier League coverage on Monday, 24 August, creating a clash with their Carabao Cup commitments.

Several fixtures may need to move, leaving clubs and supporters facing short‑notice changes.