Carabao Cup second round: 11 PL teams are in – watch EVERY match live

The Carabao Cup returns for the 2026/27 season with 11 Premier League clubs entering at the second round, and every tie live on Sky Sports. From an all-Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Leeds to a managerial return for David Moyes, the knockout stage offers early drama before the top-flight sides join in round three. The competition’s unpredictable nature is already evident, with 15 ties spread across Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, each kicking off at 7.45pm BST unless stated otherwise.

What’s at stake in the second round

Eleven Premier League teams will make their Carabao Cup bows in the second round, setting up a mix of local derbies and managerial storylines. Nottingham Forest face Leeds United on Tuesday at 7.45pm, a rematch of their recent league meeting at the City Ground. Oliver Glasner’s side will aim to erase the memory of their late league defeat as the tie is played under the Cup’s floodlights, with Forest seeking to use the competition as a platform to reset after a bruising start to the league campaign.

Elsewhere, Newcastle United host West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday at 7.45pm as Matthias Jaissle seeks his first win in charge at St James’ Park. The Magpies’ early-season struggles have already prompted questions about Jaissle’s long-term project, and a Carabao Cup victory against a side with Championship pedigree could provide a much-needed psychological boost. Tottenham Hotspur, fresh from a 3-0 loss at Brentford, take on early Championship pace-setters Charlton Athletic in another high-profile second-round fixture at 7.45pm on Wednesday, a tie that offers Spurs a chance to rebuild momentum after their heavy league setback.

David Moyes returns to Deepdale for the first time since leaving Preston in 2002, this time with Everton in tow as they face his former club at 8pm on Tuesday. The Toffees, under pressure to deliver early results, will look to Moyes’ familiarity with the surroundings to navigate a tie that could test their squad depth. Chelsea host Luton Town at 7.30pm on Wednesday, a fixture that provides Graham Potter with an opportunity to blood youngsters or rotate his squad ahead of more demanding fixtures. Fulham meet AFC Wimbledon in Thursday’s double-header at 8pm, another chance for Marco Silva to assess his options before the Premier League’s relentless schedule takes hold.

Where to watch and when

All second-round ties kick off at 7.45pm BST unless stated otherwise, with a packed schedule spanning three evenings. The opening night on Monday features 15 fixtures, including Cardiff City vs Norwich City at 7pm and Doncaster Rovers vs Middlesbrough at 7.30pm. Tuesday brings Newcastle vs West Brom at 7.45pm and Tottenham vs Charlton at 7.45pm, while Wednesday’s slate includes Chelsea vs Luton at 7.30pm and Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon at 8pm. Preston vs Everton, played at 8pm on Tuesday, rounds out the high-profile clashes, with Everton’s trip to Deepdale adding an extra layer of intrigue.

For those without a Sky Sports contract, the Carabao Cup is streamable via the Sky Sports app, ensuring no fan misses a moment of the early knockout action. Highlights from the first round are already available, with Championship, League One and League Two sides producing drama to secure their spots—Burnley’s narrow win over Bradford at 7.45pm on Tuesday and Wolves’ victory over Sheffield Wednesday at 7.45pm on Monday among the standout results.

Tactical angles to watch

The second round often serves as a proving ground for managers to rotate squads or blood young talent. Glasner may use Forest’s tie with Leeds to rotate after their midweek league setback, while Jaissle could shuffle Newcastle’s pack to steady his side’s early-season rhythm. Moyes, meanwhile, faces the unique challenge of returning to Preston with Everton, a club he led for over a decade in two separate spells, and will need to navigate a tie that blends nostalgia with tactical necessity.

For the promoted sides, ties against established Premier League outfits offer a chance to test their mettle. Luton’s visit to Stamford Bridge and Charlton’s trip to Tottenham represent early tests for both sides, with the Carabao Cup providing a platform to showcase their progress before the league campaign intensifies. The competition’s early rounds have long been a stage for upsets, and with 11 top-flight sides entering at this stage, the potential for shocks is already in play.

The second round of the Carabao Cup delivers early knockout football, managerial narratives and fresh rivalries—all live on Sky Sports. Whether it’s a managerial return, a revenge fixture or a chance for fringe players to shine, the ties promise more than just a step toward the later rounds. With 11 Premier League sides entering at this stage, the competition’s unpredictable nature is already on display, and the coming days will reveal which teams are prioritising the tournament—and which are treating it as a chance to reset after early league frustrations.