Carabao Cup 2026-27: Second-Round Matches to Watch

Fans eagerly await the 2026-27 Carabao Cup second round. After the preliminary and first rounds of the EFL Cup, the tournament will enter its next stage. Several teams will compete to sustain their status in the domestic competition. Clubs from different levels of English football will compete in the domestic cup competition. Which teams have already lost their chance to reach the next round?

The remaining clubs will compete in the Carabao Cup second round this week. Notable fixtures include Watford vs Peterborough, Barnsley vs Crewe, and Plymouth vs Coventry.

Previous Teams to Challenge for the EFL Cup

Wolves Look to Build on Their Recent Success

Wolves faced Port Vale in the Carabao Cup first-round game. Adam Armstrong, André, and Fer López each found the net for Wolves. Port Vale failed to score throughout the match. Ultimately, Wolves defeated Port Vale.

Lincoln City Maintains Momentum in the Domestic League

In their most recent fixture, Lincoln City played against Derby County. Lincoln City took control of the match when Ben House and Dom Jefferies each scored a goal. Derby County couldn’t score in the first half. After half-time, Sammie Szmodics scored for Derby County. Nevertheless, Lincoln City claimed a win over Derby County and will look to maintain their momentum in the Championship.

West Ham Seek EFL Cup Progress After League Campaign

West Ham defeated Portsmouth 3-1 in the Carabao Cup first-round fixture. Portsmouth controlled the match when Adrian Segečić found the net. Under pressure, West Ham took the lead with Valentín Castellanos, who scored twice, and Jarrod Bowen, who added another goal. After that, Portsmouth tried to create further chances but couldn’t find the net. This victory will provide West Ham with confidence ahead of their upcoming games.

Upcoming Games Schedule: Dates and Timings

Fixtures	Dates	Time Zone ET	Time Zone PT	Time Zone IST	Venues
Cardiff City vs Norwich City	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:00 PM	11:00 AM	11:30 PM	Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff.
Doncaster vs Middlesbrough	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:30 PM	11:30 AM	12:00 AM (Next Day)	Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster.
Blackburn Rovers vs Sheffield United	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Ewood Park, Blackburn.
Watford vs Peterborough	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Vicarage Road, Watford.
Cambridge United vs Millwall	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Abbey Stadium, Cambridge.
Barnsley vs Crewe	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Oakwell, Barnsley.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Wolves	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Hillsborough, Sheffield.
Plymouth vs Coventry	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Home Park, Plymouth.
Stevenage vs Reading	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	The Lamex Stadium, Stevenage
Walsall vs Leyton Orient	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Bescot Stadium, Walsall.
Blackpool vs Lincoln City	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Bloomfield Road, Blackpool.
Stoke City vs Hull	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Bet365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent.
Fleetwood vs Shrewsbury	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood.
Southampton vs West Ham	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
Ipswich Town vs Leicester City	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Portman Road, Ipswich.
Birmingham vs Brentford	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	03:00 PM	12:00 PM	12:30 AM (Next Day)	St. Andrew’s, Birmingham.
Nottm Forest vs Leeds	August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)	03:00 PM	12:00 PM	12:30 AM (Next Day)	City Ground, West Bridgford.
Newcastle vs West Brom	August 26, 2026 (Wednesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	St. James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Bradford City vs Burnley	August 26, 2026 (Wednesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Northern Commercials Stadium, Bradford.
Spurs vs Charlton	August 26, 2026 (Wednesday)	02:45 PM	11:45 AM	12:15 AM (Next Day)	Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.
Preston vs Everton	August 26, 2026 (Wednesday)	03:00 PM	12:00 PM	12:30 AM (Next Day)	Deepdale, Preston.
Chelsea vs Luton Town	August 27, 2026 (Thursday)	02:30 PM	11:30 AM	12:00 AM (Next Day)	Stamford Bridge, London.
Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon	August 27, 2026 (Thursday)	03:00 PM	12:00 PM	12:30 AM (Next Day)	Craven Cottage, London.

Pivotal Teams Previews

Cambridge United vs Millwall

Date: August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 02:45 PM ET| 11:45 AM PT| 12:15 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: Abbey Stadium, Cambridge.

Projected Lineups for Cambridge United

Position	Players
Goalkeeper	Jake Eastwood
Backs	Mamadou Jobe, Kelland Watts, Callum Perry, Liam Bennett, and Zak Bradshaw
Midfielders	Dominic Ball, Shane McLoughlin, and Ben Knight
Striker	Louis Appéré
Winger	Isaac Heath

Projected Lineups for Millwall

Position	Players
Goalkeeper	Lukas Bornhøft Jensen
Backs	Zak Sturge, Jake Cooper, Caleb Taylor, and Ryan Leonard
Midfielders	Casper de Norre, Jenson Metcalfe, and Camiel Neghli
Strikers	Taïryk Arconte and Josh Coburn
Winger	Femi Azeez

Previous Rivalries

Cambridge United defeated Barnet in the Carabao Cup first-round fixture. Cambridge United recorded a large number of shots and shots on target. Ben Knight and Isaac Heath each found the net for Cambridge United. Barnet recorded a few shots and a few shots on target. Kabongo Tshimanga scored for Barnet. Cambridge United will have home advantage and will aim to claim a win in the upcoming match.

Conversely, Millwall suffered a defeat against Hull in the Championship semi-final. Millwall recorded few shots and shots on target. They had a low possession rate and committed few fouls. Millwall failed to score throughout the match. Hull recorded more shots and shots on target. They had low possession throughout the match and earned only a few corner kicks. Hull took the lead in the second half as Mohamed Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt each found the net. This defeat will give Millwall plenty to consider ahead of their upcoming fixtures.

The Pick: Cambridge United

Plymouth vs Coventry

Date: August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 02:45 PM ET|11:45 AM PT|12:15 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: Home Park, Plymouth.

Projected Lineups for Plymouth

Position	Players
Goalkeeper	Murphy Cooper
Backs	Wes Harding, Mathias Ross, Julio Pleguezuelo, and Alex Hartridge
Midfielders	Xavier Amaechi, Malachi Boateng, Harvey White, and Ronan Curtis
Strikers	Will Evans and Aribim Pepple

Projected Lineups for Coventry

Position	Players
Goalkeeper	Carl Rushworth
Backs	Jay Dasilva, Aurèle Amenda, Bobby Thomas, and Milan van Ewijk
Midfielders	Frank Onyeka, Matt Grimes, and Caleb Yirenkyi
Striker	Ellis Simms
Wingers	Brandon Thomas-Asante and Loum Tchaouna

Previous Rivalries

In their latest fixture, Plymouth faced Wycombe. Plymouth took control of the match as Will Evans found the net. Connor Taylor scored a goal for Wycombe. Ultimately, Plymouth drew 1-1 with Wycombe. Furthermore, Plymouth will have home advantage and will look to clinch a win in the Carabao Cup second-round match. Plymouth currently plays in Football League One and has displayed mixed form recently.

By contrast, Coventry played Arsenal in the English Premier League. Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Ødegaard each found the net for Arsenal. Coventry failed to score throughout the game. In the end, Coventry lost to Arsenal.

The Pick: Plymouth

Walsall vs Leyton Orient

Date: August 25, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 02:45 PM ET|11:45 AM PT|12:15 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: Bescot Stadium, Walsall.

Projected Lineups for Walsall

Position	Players
Goalkeeper	Jed Ward
Backs	Elicha Ahui, Declan Skura, James Connolly, and Mason Hancock
Midfielders	Isaac Moore, Sven Sprangler, Lewis Simper, and Courtney Clarke
Strikers	Andrew Dallas and Aaron Pressley

Projected Lineups for Leyton Orient

Position	Players
Goalkeeper	Nathan Baxter
Backs	Phillip Chinedu, Fin Stevens, Joseph Olowu and James Morris
Midfielders	Idris El Mizouni, Isaac Hayden, Yusuf Akhamrich, and Charlie Wellens
Striker	Jaze Kabia
Winger	Tony Springett

Previous Rivalries

Walsall are likely to change their defensive setup and boost their attacking approach. As a result, Walsall is moving away from the past 3-5-2 or 5-4-1 form to a 4-3-3 formation. They have a strong attacking lineup to build a reputation in domestic competitions. Key players include Aaron Loupalo-Bi, Daniel Malanga Kanu, and Albert Adomah, who will support their campaign. With home advantage, Walsall will look to extend their winning streak in the upcoming Carabao Cup fixtures.

Leyton Orient has established a solid reputation in both attack and defense. Nathan Baxter is a key goalkeeper who adds defensive stability. In addition, Joseph Olowu, Fin Stevens, and Alfie Gilchrist add stability to the back line. Jaze Kabia and Aaron Connolly give additional strength in attack. Leyton Orient currently play in the Football League One competition. Leyton Orient will give a tough challenge against Walsall.

The Pick: Walsall

Bradford City vs Burnley

Date: August 26, 2026 (Wednesday)

Time: 02:45 PM ET|11:45 AM PT|12:15 AM IST (Next Day)

Venue: Northern Commercials Stadium, Bradford.

Projected Lineups for Bradford City

Position	Players
Goalkeeper	Jon McCracken
Backs	Matthew Pennington, Aden Baldwin, Macaulay Gillesphey, and Josh Neufville
Midfielders	Antoni Sarcevic, Callum Connolly, Ibou Touray, and Kayden Jackson
Striker	Jake Beesley
Winger	Bobby Pointon

Projected Lineups for Burnley

Position	Players
Goalkeeper	Max Weiss
Backs	Bashir Humphreys, Max Alleyne, Kyle Walker, and Oliver Sonne
Midfielders	Hannibal Mejbri, Josh Laurent, and Aaron Ramsey
Striker	Armando Broja
Wingers	Jacob Bruun Larsen and Marcus Edwards

Previous Rivalries

Bradford City faced Sheffield Wednesday in their latest game. Aden Baldwin found the net for Bradford City. Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday failed to score throughout the match. Ultimately, Bradford City defeated Sheffield Wednesday. In addition, the club has a strong home advantage in their recent games. As a result, Bradford City will earn an undoubted victory in the forthcoming fixture.

In contrast, Burnley played against West Brom in the Championship fixture. Burnley took the lead as Callum Styles found the net early. Harry Whitwell and Isaac Price scored for West Brom. In the end, Burnley suffered a defeat to West Brom. Burnley currently sit mid-table in the Championship.

The Pick: Bradford City

Game Analysis

This week’s Carabao Cup fixtures will feature the first-round winners competing in the second round. Several clubs will aim to build their position in the domestic competition. The remaining clubs will have another opportunity to qualify for the next round. A key matchup will see Bradford City face Burnley on August 26 at the Northern Commercials Stadium in Bradford.