The Premier League may have only just returned this weekend, but there is already another batch of football to get stuck into midweek with the EFL Cup second round taking place.
The Carabao Cup gets serious this week as 11 Premier League clubs enter the competition for the first time this season, joining the 35 teams who made it through the opening round.
With 23 second-round ties taking place across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, there is plenty of opportunity to put together an accumulator.
There are obviously plenty of potential banana skins at this stage of the competition. But these six sides have enough quality to make us think they can get the job done.
Ipswich Town vs Leicester City
Tuesday, August 25 (14:45 EST / 19:45 GMT)
Ipswich get our accumulator underway when Leicester City visit Portman Road.
The Tractor Boys are back in the Premier League this season and could hardly have asked for a better confidence boost after beating Sunderland 2-1 on the opening weekend.
Jack Clarke’s 90th-minute winner completed a memorable return to the top flight, and Ipswich now have an opportunity to carry that momentum into the Carabao Cup.
Leicester, meanwhile, have had a difficult start to life in League One and face a trip to a side that will be full of confidence – far from ideal.
Ipswich are likely to make some changes, but they have a squad that should be capable of handling a cup tie against lesser opposition.
There is also the simple advantage of playing at home.
This feels like a good opportunity for Ipswich to make another positive start to the season.
Plymouth Argyle vs Coventry City
Tuesday, August 25 (14:45 EST / 19:45 GMT)
Coventry’s Premier League return did not go according to plan.
Frank Lampard’s side were beaten 3-0 by reigning champions Arsenal on the opening weekend, but the Carabao Cup presents a much more favourable opportunity to get their first win of the campaign.
Plymouth have already made it through one round after beating Exeter City in the Devon derby, but their League One campaign has started slowly.
The Pilgrims lost 3-1 to Stockport County before drawing 1-1 with Wycombe Wanderers.
Coventry will undoubtedly rotate their lineup, particularly with another Premier League fixture against fellow promoted side Hull City coming up, but there should still be a significant difference in squad quality.
The Sky Blues also have plenty of attacking options to call upon.
This is exactly the kind of fixture Lampard will want his squad to win in hopes of building some form of momentum.
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Birmingham City vs Brentford
Tuesday, August 25 (15:00 EST / 20:00 GMT)
This might be the toughest selection on the list.
Birmingham are unbeaten in their opening three matches and have already knocked Swansea City out of the Carabao Cup.
They also have an excellent home record, which makes this far from a straightforward away assignment for Brentford.
However, the Bees arrive in Birmingham after producing one of the most impressive performances of the opening Premier League weekend.
Brentford demolished Tottenham 3-0 on Saturday, with their intensity and ability to attack quickly causing Spurs all sorts of problems.
That performance should give Keith Andrews plenty of confidence heading into this one.
Rotation is expected, but Brentford reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals last season and clearly take the competition seriously.
Birmingham are capable of making this uncomfortable, but Brentford have the quality to find a way through.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Charlton Athletic
Wednesday, August 26 (14:45 EST / 19:45 GMT)
Tottenham are probably the most obvious bounce-back candidate in this accumulator.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side were beaten 3-0 by Brentford on Saturday, producing a performance that was very reminiscent of Spurs last season.
The good news? They have barely had to wait for another game to bounce back.
Charlton are next up at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, giving Spurs the perfect opportunity to put that defeat behind them.
The Addicks have made a strong start to their Championship campaign and will arrive with plenty of confidence after beating West Ham 2-1.
That said, this is a huge step up in quality; well, it should be anyway.
Tottenham have also invested heavily during the summer and should have enough depth to make changes without completely weakening the side.
De Zerbi will want a response. I expect him to get one.
Newcastle United vs West Brom
Wednesday, August 26 (14:45 EST / 19:45 GMT)
Newcastle enter the Carabao Cup at the second-round stage as one of the teams with genuine ambitions of going deep into the competition.
The Magpies won the trophy in 2025 and will be hoping for another long run this season.
West Brom provide the opposition at St James’ Park after progressing from the first round with a 4-1 win over Rotherham United.
The Baggies will fancy their chances of causing problems, but Newcastle have the advantage of home field and a squad packed with Premier League-quality.
Matthias Jaissle is also expected to rotate his side, but Newcastle’s depth should be enough to cope.
This is exactly the type of home tie Newcastle should be winning if they want another run at the trophy.
Preston North End vs Everton
Wednesday, August 26 (15:00 EST / 20:00 GMT)
Our final pick comes from Deepdale, where Everton travel to face Preston North End.
Everton made an excellent start to the Premier League season, beating Crystal Palace 2-0.
Goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry gave David Moyes’ side three points and a clean sheet, setting the tone for what could be an interesting campaign.
Preston will provide a different test.
The Championship side have enough quality to make this competitive, particularly on home soil, but Everton should have the stronger squad even with some rotation.
The Toffees have also had a relatively positive summer and will see the Carabao Cup as an opportunity to give minutes to players fighting for starting places.
With confidence high following the opening-day victory, Everton look capable of getting through.
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