Carabao Cup second-round draw: Chelsea host Luton, Forest at home to Leeds
Chelsea will host League One side Luton Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup, as new manager Xabi Alonso begins the club's bid to win the trophy for the first time since 2015. Fellow Premier League club Tottenham were also drawn at home, against Championship side Charlton, as the 11 top-flight teams not involved in European football this season entered the competition at this stage, with the remaining nine joining in round three.
Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest, last season's Europa League semi-finalists, host fellow top-flight side Leeds, while Newcastle's new head coach Matthias Jaissle was handed a home tie against West Brom. Everton boss David Moyes returns to former club Preston, and newly promoted Hull travel to Stoke. Brentford face a tricky trip to Championship club Birmingham, Ipswich host Leicester, and West Ham, who beat Portsmouth in round one, go to Southampton. Ties are due to be played in the week commencing 24 August, with the final at Wembley on 21 March 2027.
- Chelsea drawn at home to League One's Luton in Carabao Cup round two
- Nottingham Forest to host Leeds; Tottenham at home to Charlton
- Ties played week of 24 August; final at Wembley on 21 March
New here? Start with this
Chelsea will begin their Carabao Cup campaign at home to League One side Luton Town, a tie that also marks a fresh start for new head coach Xabi Alonso, who is looking to bring the club its first success in this competition since 2015. Nottingham Forest, who reached the Europa League semi-finals last season, face a home game against fellow Premier League club Leeds. The Carabao Cup is one of English football's domestic knockout trophies, running alongside the league season, and gives clubs from all four professional divisions the chance to compete against each other, often producing unpredictable results.
This second-round draw brought together the 11 Premier League clubs not involved in European competition this season, meaning they entered at this earlier stage rather than round three, where the remaining top-flight sides will join in. Other notable pairings include Newcastle, now managed by Matthias Jaissle, at home to West Brom, and Everton boss David Moyes facing a return to Preston, the club he used to manage.
The matches are scheduled for the week starting 24 August, with the competition building towards a final at Wembley Stadium in March 2027. For clubs lower down the football pyramid, such as Luton and Charlton, a cup run against Premier League opposition offers a rare high-profile occasion and the possibility of an upset, while for the bigger clubs it is an early test and, for some, a chance to give new managers their first taste of a competitive fixture.