Published: August 7, 2026
- Draw: Monday 10 August, around 7:20pm BST on Sky Sports Main Event
- Chelsea, Tottenham and six other Premier League clubs enter in round two
- Regionalised split remains; ball numbers to be confirmed
The Carabao Cup cranks up a notch as the second-round draw welcomes the big hitters, with Chelsea and Tottenham stepping in alongside a clutch of fellow top-flight sides. If you’re planning a flutter once the ties drop, our best football betting sites guide is a handy first stop.
When and Where to Watch
The draw is set for Monday 10 August, broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event during the build-up to Plymouth vs Exeter — expect the balls to come out at roughly 7:20pm BST. It’s the final act of the opening round, which has already seen 68 EFL sides scrap for a place in the hat, with Rochdale and Crawley Town even navigating a preliminary hurdle to get this far.
Who’s in the Hat and What to Expect
This is where the narrative shifts. Eight Premier League clubs join at this stage, headlined by Chelsea — with Xabi Alonso keen to plant an early marker — and London rivals Spurs looking to reset after a fraught league campaign. The second round remains regionalised, split into northern and southern sections, which keeps travel sensible and throws up a few tasty local dust-ups.
Before we get there, a few first-round ties are worth a look: West Ham vs Portsmouth has proper edge, Plymouth vs Exeter is a Devon derby with bite, and Middlesbrough vs Wrexham pits two ambitious Championship chasers head to head at the Riverside. It’s classic Carabao fare: quick turnarounds, rotated line-ups, and chances for fringe players to make themselves undroppable.
As for the admin: ball numbers will be announced closer to the draw, and full fixture details will follow once the ties are confirmed by the EFL. Expect managers to take it seriously enough — this competition is a fast track to Wembley and, for those outside Europe, a shot at momentum and a bit of silverware.
Bio:
Football fanatic, you will often find me on the terraces at lower league matches on a Saturday afternoon. I leave the Premier League matches to the prawn sandwich brigade; grassroots football for me all the way.
Key contributions:
As the lead copywriter, it’s my job to turn my colleagues’ “messy notes” (sorry, guys!) into clear, engaging content. From bookmaker reviews to betting predictions, I make sure everything is polished, accurate, and easy to read
Personnel betting philosophy or quotes:
“Great content, like great football, is all about the fundamentals”
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