Carabao Cup second round draw: Chelsea to face Luton and Newcastle get W…

The Carabao Cup second round draw was completed on Monday, 10 August 2026, setting the stage for a series of high-stakes encounters as Premier League clubs and lower-tier teams prepare for the next stage of the competition. The draw, held in two sections—northern and southern—determined matchups for teams not competing in European competitions, with several notable fixtures emerging.

Chelsea, a Premier League club that finished 10th in the 2025/26 season, will face League One side Luton Town in the second round. The match will be played at Stamford Bridge, offering the Blues a chance to avoid an early exit. Tottenham Hotspur, who finished 17th in the Premier League, will host Charlton Athletic in a London derby, with the game scheduled for the week commencing 24 August. Both clubs entered the competition earlier than usual due to their absence from European competitions.

Newcastle United, managed by Matthias Jaissle, will take on West Bromwich Albion in a home tie. The Magpies, who have a 7.5% chance of winning the trophy according to supercomputer predictions, will face the Championship side in a match set for 25 or 26 August. The game falls between Newcastle’s Premier League fixtures against Liverpool and Tottenham, adding to the club’s tight schedule. Newcastle’s odds of reaching the final stand at 14.8%, the second-highest in the competition after Chelsea’s 10.8%.

West Ham United, who secured their place in the second round with a 3-1 win over Portsmouth, will travel to Southampton for a clash in the southern section. The Hammers, relegated from the Premier League in 2025, will face the Championship side at St Mary’s Stadium. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest will host Leeds United in a Premier League vs. Premier League encounter, marking one of the standout ties of the round. Birmingham City’s match against Brentford and Fulham’s home game against AFC Wimbledon are also highlighted as key fixtures.

The draw also included teams from the northern section, where Middlesbrough will face Doncaster Rovers. The match, set for 25 or 26 August, is a revenge opportunity for Boro after losing to Doncaster in last season’s first round. The Teesiders’ game falls between their Premier League fixtures against Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion, which has been moved to 12.30pm on Saturday to accommodate Sky Sports’ live coverage.

The second round of the Carabao Cup will take place across 24–26 August, with most matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. The timing creates logistical challenges for EFL teams, as their league fixtures may be shifted to Sundays or Wednesdays to accommodate the cup games. For example, teams facing Premier League opposition will likely play on Thursdays, affecting their subsequent league schedules.

The competition’s structure ensures that Premier League clubs not involved in Europe will enter in the third round, with holders Manchester City and last year’s finalists Arsenal among those set to join later. The draw also included a final first-round tie between Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City, which determined the last remaining second-round participant.

Live coverage of the draw was broadcast on Sky Sports Football, with David Prutton hosting the event. The northern and southern sections were revealed sequentially, with the southern draw featuring teams like Chelsea, Tottenham, and West Ham. The event coincided with the final first-round match of the season, adding to the excitement for fans.

For clubs like Newcastle, the second round represents an opportunity to build momentum ahead of the Premier League season. Manager Matthias Jaissle’s side, with a strong historical record in the competition, aims to replicate the success of former manager Eddie Howe. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s return to the Carabao Cup after a two-season absence highlights the club’s focus on domestic competitions this season.