Five League Cup Second Round Ties To Keep An Eye On

The draw has been made for the Carabao Cup Second Round, with the ‘non-elite’ Premier League clubs now joining the competition.

The First Round threw up a number of surprises, including Harrogate Town beating Lincoln City at the LNER Stadium. Their reward for heroics is a first-ever meeting with Preston North End at Wetherby Road, but is that the pick of the ties?

We’ve selected five to keep an eye out for at the end of August.

Birmingham City v Fulham

If Birmingham City fans wanted a true test of their star-studded squad this season, they couldn’t have asked for a better draw. They’re recruiting for the Championship and will relish being the underdogs in this game, as almost every other they play will see them as the Goliath waiting to be felled.

This was regularly a Championship or Premier League clash – you have to go back to 1991/92 for the last time they played each other outside of the top two divisions, other than in cup ties. Birmingham have bragging rights, just, with 34 wins to Fulham’s 33, but the Cottagers won their last League Cup clash 2-0 in 2021. In that game, Jay Stansfield scored for Fulham – he is now a loan target for the Blues.

QPR v Luton Town

There’s some very eighties about a QPR and Luton encounter, two classic old First Division clubs coming face to face. Both used to have plastic pitches, classic kits, and a hardcore local fanbase that still exists today. Both have experienced the Premier League but still feel ‘authentic’ making this a fascinating encounter.

They’ve never met in the League Cup before, and QPR have the upper hand, with 42 wins to Luton’s 33. Both sides will fancy a run in this competition to bring a little glory as former winners; Luton in 1988 and QPR in 1967.

Millwall v Leyton Orient

If we’re talking about authentic clubs, few ties will invoke working-class imagery like Millwall and Orient. Unlike some of the ‘glamourous’ London clubs, both still have firm roots in the local community, with a fervent fanbase among their local community.

They’ve also been strangers in recent seasons; they haven’t met in league action since 2010, when Millwall won 2-1 with goals from Paul Robinson and Steve Morison. They have faced each other in the League Cup before, both in two-legged ties in 1987 and 1992. Millwall won both, 2-1 and 5-2, respectively.

Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool

A classic northern tie is due to take place at Ewood Park between two old rivals, both undergoing a period of rebuilding. Blackpool are hunting a place in the Championship, whilst Blackburn are looking to recover from a struggle last time out in the second tier.

This is ripe for a giant killing. Blackburn are likely to be understrength, but they do risk defeat against a capable Blackpool side if they underestimate the challenge. As for the Seasiders, they lost their opening game agianst Crawley, and need to pick up points between now and then, otherwise Neil Critchley may be under pressure.

This could be a big one for both managers.

Leicester City v Tranmere Rovers

We had to pick a David and Goliath, and Premier League Leicester against League Two Tranmere is a great choice. Why? Because it’s a repeat of the 2000 final, a game in which a Matt Elliott double gave the Foxes their second trophy in four seasons. At the time, Tranmere were in the second tier, and the two clubs have enjoyed contrasting fortunes since; Leicester winning the Premier League, Tranmere slipping into the non-league pyramid.

The two teams met at the same stage last season, with Leicester winning 2-0, but Tranmere’s eye-catching 3-0 win against Accrington will fuel belief they can cause an upset, especially if their hosts play a weakened side.

 

Carabao Cup second-round draw in full

Southern Section

Coventry City vs Oxford United

Swansea vs Wycombe

AFC Wimbledon vs Ipswich

Birmingham City vs Fulham

Watford vs Plymouth

West Ham vs Bournemouth

QPR vs Luton

Brighton vs Crawley

Crystal Palace vs Norwich

Cardiff vs Southampton

Millwall vs Leyton Orient

Colchester vs Brentford

 

Northern Section

Grimsby vs Sheffield Wednesday

Everton vs Doncaster

Blackburn vs Blackpool

Fleetwood vs Rotherham

Shrewsbury vs Bolton

Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle

Barrow vs Derby

Leicester vs Tranmere

Middlesbrough vs Stoke

Barnsley vs Sheffield United