Drawn on Wednesday night, the fixtures for the second round of the Carabao Cup are set in stone and promise potential for closely contested ties and upsets.
Doncaster Rovers emerged 4-0 victors away to Championship outfit Middlesbrough, while Bradford City continued their history of cup fortunes, Mansfield Town snatched a win away at their bitter rivals Chesterfield as Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday played-out a 3-3 thriller.
The second round of the Carabao Cup promises more action and upsets as we welcome the 2025-26 EFL campaign.
With Manchester United making an unusual appearance at this stage of the competition, we take a look at the standout ties as we approach the second round of the competition.
Grimsby Town Vs Manchester United
Starting with the talk of the round, League Two Grimsby Town will be playing host to Premier League giants Manchester United at Blundell Park, which is renowned for its ‘proper’ heritage, being situated between a large block of terraced housing.
With the lack of European competition, Ruben Amorin’s Red Devils will likely prioritise cup competitions, starting that they will have to avoid the potential banana skin presented by David Artell’s Mariners.
Grimsby, however, will be relishing the underdog title in this fixture.
Town have enjoyed a transformation under Artell, as the 44-year-old took the club from 21st to 9th in League Two last season, falling narrowly wide of the play-off positions on the final day.
Emerging as the top scorers in all competitions in their opening three fixtures, better times look to be on the Horizon in North East Lincolnshire, and a statement could be made against the Old Trafford outfit.
It’s David – or more so David Artell vs Goliath at Blundell Park, who will come out on top?
Stoke City Vs Bradford City
Championship outfit Stoke City entertain League One’s Bradford City, which could certainly be one to watch.
Stoke crawled past League Two Walsall on penalties after a goalless encounter in the first round. Bradford, however, eliminated Championship opposition in Blackburn Rovers.
The West Yorkshire side netted twice in the first four minutes, courtesy of Ibou Touray and Will Swan, and will be hoping for more of the same at the Bet365 Stadium.
The Potters enjoyed a fine run in the Carabao cup last season, as they reached the round of 16, eventually knocked out by Southampton by the way of a James Bree free kick in the closing stages.
Both sides have emerged unbeaten in the early fixtures of their respective seasons, and the Bantams boast a positive history of cup upsets.
Will Stoke avoid an upset, or will lightning strike twice for Graham Alexander’s Bantams?
Sunderland Vs Huddersfield Town
Rounding off this list will be Premier League newcomers Sunderland, taking on Lee Grant’s Huddersfield Town.
The Terriers were victorious on penalties against Leicester City in the first round, with a penalty shootout going the Terriers’ way, rounded off by Lee Nicholls’ spot-kick after a positive performance from Grant’s men.
As a now Premier League Outfit, Sunderland will come into the competition in this round, and will certainly fancy their chances to go far in the competition.
Huddersfield have started the season on fire, yet to concede in League One with convincing victories over Leyton Orient and Reading respectively, emerging as early promotion favourites in the third tier.
Alfie May has been a notable arrival, an established goalscorer at the level who has already opened his account for the West Yorkshire outfit.
Sunderland have also caught plaudits from their summer business, backed by many neutrals to break the cycle of newly promoted sides in recent years and finish above the drop zone.
Granit Xhaka is a marquee addition to the Black Cats’ midfield, while a youthful core of Chris Rigg, Daniel Neil, and Trai Hume internalise manager Regis Le Bris’ identity.
A youthful core aligned with the ‘street-smart’ of Luke O’Nien and Granit Xhaka – what a sentence – characterise Sunderland as a side to watch in the cup, or will Grant’s project at Huddersfield Town make a further statement of intent?