The 2024-25 EFL Cup season is about to begin, promising a fresh wave of excitement, fierce rivalries, and the thrill of the unpredictable. In this journey, fans can expect a thrilling match, rising stars, and an electrifying atmosphere. Whether you’re supporting a seasoned contender or cheering for an underdog, this season is set to be a rollercoaster ride from the first whistle to the showdown. Brace yourself for a season where every goal counts, and every match could make history!
The 2024-25 EFL Cup, also known as the Carabao Cup, is in its 65th season. The tournament embraces all Premier League and English Football League clubs, making it an inclusive event. This inclusivity fosters a sense of unity among the football community. The winner of the competition qualifies for the play-off round of the 2025-26 UEFA Conference League. The event will start on August 13, 2024, and conclude on March 16, 2025. Liverpool is the defending champion, and it will be exciting to see who will win the trophy this time. The tournament includes 92 clubs from the Premier League and the English Football League’s Championship, League One, and League Two. The EFL Cup, first held in 1960-61 as the Football League Cup, is one of England’s top-tier domestic competitions alongside the Premier Cup and FA Cup. While it is one of the four domestic trophies attainable by English league teams, it is considered to be of lower prestige than the league title or the FA Cup.
As stated above, this league cup is open to all 92 Premier League and English Football. League members. It is divided into seven rounds and organized so that 32 teams remain by the third round. The Cup is usually played on a knockout basis, with each team playing one match each round until the winner is determined. The winner of the League Cup is awarded a trophy and prize money. The EFL Cup is a prestigious tournament that provides an exciting platform for teams across the football leagues to showcase their talent and compete for silverware. With a history dating back decades, the competition has witnessed memorable moments and intense battles on the field. This tournament is eagerly anticipated by fans and players alike, and it continues to add to the legacy of football in the United Kingdom.
Teams
The 2024-25 EFL Cup will see a total of 92 clubs from the English Football League and Premier League compete. The top four English Football League divisions each have representation in the Cup. All 24 championship clubs and League One and Two clubs were represented in the first round. The Championship Clubs that placed 18th and 19th in the League and the Premier League Clubs that were not participating in the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League, Luton Town and Burnley, were added to the competition in the next round. This process ensures that the EFL Cup is a true test of the best teams across the leagues.
In the first round, 70 clubs will participate, including 24 from EFL League Two, 24 from EFL League One, and 22 from the EFL Championship; for the second round, two clubs from the EFL Championship and 13 premier League Clubs who are not involved in the European Competition which consists of 50 clubs will enter. In the third round, it will be filtered into 32 clubs, with seven Premier League clubs involved in European competitions. In the fourth round, 16 clubs will participate, and eight clubs will be carried forward to the Quarter Finals, followed by the semi-final and final.
2024-25 EFL Cup key dates
First Round – August 12, 2024
Second Round – August 26, 2024
Third Round – September 16 and September 23, 2024
Fourth Round – October 28, 2024
Quarter-finals – December 16, 2024
Semi-finals – January 6, 2025, and February 3, 2025
Final – March 16, 2025
2024-25 First Round EFL Cup Draw
Southern Section | Northern Section |
Cambridge United v Queens Park Rangers | Salford City v Doncaster Rovers |
Walsall v Exeter City | Rotherham United v Crewe Alexandra |
Crawley Town v Swindon Town | Carlisle United v Stoke City |
Oxford United v Peterborough United | Leeds United v Middlesbrough |
Norwich City v Stevenage | Barrow v Port Vale |
Bromley v AFC Wimbledon | Burton Albion v Blackpool |
Portsmouth v Millwall | Tranmere Rovers v Accrington Stanley |
Northampton Town v Wycombe Wanderers | Fleetwood Town v West Bromwich Albion |
Bristol City v Coventry City | Shrewsbury Town v Notts County |
Cardiff City v Bristol Rovers | Lincoln City v Harrogate Town |
Charlton Athletic v Birmingham City | Derby County v Chesterfield |
Watford v MK Dons | Bolton Wanderers v Mansfield Town |
Swansea City v Gillingham | Preston North End v Sunderland |
Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town | Sheffield United v Wrexham |
Leyton Orient v Newport County | Huddersfield Town v Morecambe |
Colchester United v Reading | Wigan Athletic v Barnsley |
– | Hull City v Sheffield Wednesday |
– | Stockport County v Blackburn Rovers |
– | Grimsby Town v Bradford City |
Where to Watch the 2024–25 EFL Cup?
Fans can watch the 2024-2025 EFL Cup on Sky Sports and Sky Sports+.
British fans can watch free live streams of 2024–25 Carabao Cup matches on ITVX from the semi-finals onwards.
US football enthusiasts can watch the Carabao Cup on DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and Paramount Plus via CBS Sports Network.
Canadian fans can watch the 2024-25 EFL Cup on DAZN.
Highlights of the EFL Cup will be shown on ITV4 and available on ITV Hubs
Prediction:
Brentford F.C. vs. Leyton Orient F.C.
In the third round of the EFL Cup, Leyton Orient is hitting the road to take on Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium (London). This thrilling encounter is set to take place on September 18, 2024. Leyton Orient began their Carabao Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory against Newport. In the first half, Leyton Orient’s dominant performance was evident on the field thanks to Daniel Agyei and Diallang Jaiyesimi’s first-half goal. Further, in the second half, Brandon Cooper and Charlie Kelman added another two points for the team, which led the team towards the triumph path. In the second game, they faced Millwall. It was the 14th-minute goal from Daniel Agyei, and their vital defense skill made them win their second consecutive game in the EFL Cup.
At the same time, Brentford didn’t play in the first round of the Carabao Cup because Premier League teams not involved in European competitions enter the EFL Cup in the second round. In their opening game, they defeated Colchester with a score of 1-0. On the game day, Keane Lewis-Potter was the only one to find the net for Brentford in the 45th minute. Later, in the second half, both teams were continuously involved in the substitution change, but nothing changed their game play, and the early lead made Brentford win their first game in the EFL Cup. While looking at both team’s recent form in their overall competition, Brentford has the upper hand here, and they are likely to grab victory in this match, promising an exciting game for the fans.
Manchester United F.C. vs. Barnsley F.C.
On September 18, 2024, Manchester United is ready for their first game of the EFL Cup against Barnsley at Old Trafford (Manchester). Apart from this competition, Manchester United is participating in the Premier League 2024-25. Where three games were done so far, United won one and lost two matches, which placed them in the 14th position. Manchester United has a rich history in the EFL Cup. Their EFL Cup journey began in the 1960s; however, the significant success came in the 1991-92 season when they won the trophy for the first time. Eventually, the 2000s saw Manchester United become a dominant force in the EFL Cup. In this upcoming season, the entire club’s strength lies in their squad, a mix of experienced players and young, promising talents, where they made significant investments in the transfer market.
Whereas Barnsley’s so-far journey in the Carabao Cup was nothing short of remarkable. In the opening game, they faced Wigan and won with a score of 1-2. Despite the slow start to the game, they showed a phenomenal performance in the penalties and won the game. In the second game, Barnsley defeated Sheffield United with a score of 1-0, thanks to a Max Watters goal in the 52nd minute. Over to their H2H, both teams were met three times, two in the Premier League and one in the EFL. In all matches, Manchester United dominate, so it is interesting to see whether this dominance continues. With its rich history, we can expect Manchester United to win this opening game.
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
At Amex Stadium (Brighton), in the highly anticipated EFL showdown, we will witness the battle between Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 19, 2024. Brighton have had a strong start to the Premier League 2024-25 season, winning two matches and drawing one, which places them in 3rd position. Their recent form has been impressive, with key players like Evan Ferguson and Lewis Dunk playing pivotal roles. Ferguson’s attacking prowess and Dunk’s defensive solidity have been crucial for Brighton. Additionally, their 4-0 victory over Crawley in the Carabao Cup second round highlighted their depth and dominance. Brighton’s offensive capabilities have been a standout, making them a formidable opponent.
On the other hand, Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a challenging start to the season, losing two matches and drawing one, placing them in 18th position, within the relegation zone. Despite their disappointing start, they managed to secure a 2-0 win against Burnley in their first EFL game, showcasing their defensive skills. However, their offense has not been as effective, which could be a challenge against Brighton’s strong attack. Historically, Wolverhampton has found it difficult to compete with Brighton, losing their last four Premier League encounters. This trend suggests that Brighton might have the upper hand in this upcoming match.
Coventry City F.C. vs. Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
For the third round in the EFL Cup 2024-25, Coventry City will stay home to lock horns with Tottenham Hotspur on September 19, 2024, at Coventry Building Society Arena (Coventry). Coventry heads into this match with two consecutive victories against Bristol City 0-1 and Oxford United 1-0. In both games they played, they didn’t concede a single goal. In the first game with Bristol City, they had a ball possession of 47% with four shots on goal. In the second game with Oxford, they had 53% ball possession with five shots on goal. Tottenham is participating in the Premier League, where they ended their recent games with one win, one draw, and one loss, which placed them in the 10th place in the Premier League standings.
This upcoming match will be their first match in the Carabao Cup, which makes this game more interesting to watch. Tottenham’s first triumph in the EFL Cup came in the 1970-71 season. They continued their success in the early 1970s, winning the EFL Cup again in the 1972-73 season. Overall, history in the EFL Cup is marked by periods of dominance, memorable victories, and consistent performances. With four titles, Spurs have established themselves as one of the competition’s most successful clubs, a fact that commands respect. When we look over both team’s recent form, Coventry and Tottenham faced many ebbs and flows, but before playing two matches in the EFL Cup, Coventry City will have a higher chance to win this game.
