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)
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.