EFL Cup round 2 draw released
The 2nd round fixtures of the English Football League Cup, which has been renamed as the EFL Cup, have been announced with Chelsea and Everton receiving favourable home draws.
Chelsea, one of 25 seeded teams in the draw, were knocked out in the round of 16 of last year’s competition and will face either Bristol Rovers or Bristol City depending on whether the former can defeat Cardiff City on Thursday. If the Sky Bet League 2 side lose to Cardiff. however, it will be rivals Bristol City that travel to London to face Antonio Conte’s men.
Everton meanwhile play host to League 2 side Yeovil in what will be manager Ronald Koeman’s first cup game in charge of Everton. Everton were knocked out by Manchester City in the semi finals last time around and will be looking for a similar showing.
Teams not in European competitions took part in Wednesday’s draw.
Liverpool, another seeded team, face a tricky test away at recently promoted Championship side Burton Albion at the Pirelli stadium. Liverpool who are unable to play at Anfield due to construction on their main stand have been given special permission to travel to Burton. The club from Anfield suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the finals of last year’s competition and will be looking to lay their hands on the cup this time around.
Other matches involving Premier League sides include 2015/16 semi-finalists Stoke City travelling to League 2 outfit Stevenage which is expected to be a mouth-watering contest. Stoke were responsible for knocking out Chelsea last season and managed a run to the semi-finals where they fell at the hands of Liverpool.
Crystal Palace welcome Blackpool to Selhurst Park while Sunderland host Shrewsbury. Newly promoted Middlesbrough will fancy their chances of progression as they travel to Fulham. The club from Yorkshire reached the quarterfinals last year before being eliminated at the hands of Everton.
Last season’s Championship winners Burnley too will be looking to progress after being paired off against League 2 side Accrington Stanley.
Swansea, with new manager Francesco Guidolin, make the journey to Cambridge to face Peterborough in what should be a stern test for the Welsh club. West Brom meanwhile travel to Northamptonshire to face off against Northampton Town while Hull City make the short journey to Devon to square off against Exeter.
One of the most promising fixtures of the second round is the game at Kenilworth Road which features Luton playing host to Leeds.
All ties will be played in the week commencing 22nd August.
The entire fixture list is given below:
| QPR | v | Rochdale |
| Scunthorpe | v | Cardiff/Bristol City |
| Peterborough | v | Swansea |
| Watford | v | Gillingham |
| Sunderland | v | Shrewsbury |
| Everton | v | Yeovil |
| Millwall | v | Nottingham Forest |
| Burnley | v | Accrington Stanley |
| Luton | v | Leeds |
| Chelsea | v | Bristol City/Bristol Rovers |
| Burton | v | Liverpool |
| Blackburn | v | Crewe |
| Crystal Palace | v | Blackpool |
| Morecambe | v | Bournemouth |
| Preston North End | v | Oldham |
| Oxford | v | Brighton |
| Reading | v | Milton Keynes Dons |
| Fulham | v | Middlesbrough |
| Newcastle | v | Cheltenham |
| Exeter | v | Hull |
| Derby | v | Carlisle |
| Northampton | v | West Brom |
| Wolves | v | Cambridge |
| Stevenage | v | Stoke |
| Norwich | v | Coventry |