Ipswich vs. Bristol Rovers (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
Ipswich Town will be bidding to continue their fine start to the season when they play host to Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup first round on Wednesday.
A day before the Tractor Boys defeated Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Bristol Rovers earned a solid 1-1 draw at Portsmouth in League One.
We say: Ipswich Town 2-1 Bristol Rovers
With both teams, particularly Ipswich, expected to rotate their squads, this could prove to be an entertaining tie. However, McKenna has more players at his disposal that will want to impress, and we feel that they may edge this contest by the odd goal in three.
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AFC Wimbledon vs. Coventry (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
Coventry City will be looking to return to winning ways when they meet AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup first round on Wednesday.
A day before the Sky Blues lost out at Leicester City in the Championship, AFC Wimbledon played out a draw away at Grimsby Town.
We say: AFC Wimbledon 1-4 Coventry City
While Robins will inevitably rotate his squad for this fixture, their current strength in depth means that it should work to their advantage. Wimbledon may threaten for a time, but we feel that the Sky Blues will run out convincing winners.
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Bristol City vs. Oxford Utd (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
Bristol City will hope to build on their solid start to the season when they host Oxford United in the EFL Cup first round on Wednesday.
While the Robins played out a draw with Preston North End at Ashton Gate, the visitors suffered defeat at the hands of Cambridge United.
We say: Bristol City 2-1 Oxford United
Pearson will make changes for this contest in a bid to assess his squad depth ahead of the end of the transfer window. That should give the visitors an opportunity to cause a surprise, but we feel that the Robins have enough quality at their disposal to secure the win.
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Cardiff vs. Colchester (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
Cardiff City take on Colchester United at the Cardiff City Stadium in the first round of the 2023/24 EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
It is the first competitive meeting between the two sides since 2015, when Cardiff ran out 3-1 winners in the FA Cup.
We say: Cardiff City 2-0 Colchester United
Although they were denied all three points by a last-minute equaliser, Cardiff showed some very promising signs against Leeds last week, and we expect them to breeze through on Wednesday night.
Colchester were very poor in League Two last season, and while it is difficult to gauge whether they have improved since then, they are unlikely to win away against a team two divisions above them.
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Leeds vs. Shrewsbury (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
Leeds United and Shrewsbury Town will battle for a place in the EFL Cup second round on Wednesday, when they meet at Elland Road.
The two teams both began their league campaigns at the weekend, with the hosts entertaining Cardiff City on their return to the Championship and the visitors making a winning start to the League One term at home to Cheltenham Town.
We say: Leeds United 2-0 Shrewsbury Town
Even with the anticipated squad rotation, Leeds should have too much for their third-tier visitors on Wednesday and will expect to record a first competitive win under Farke.
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Burton Albion vs. Leicester (Wednesday, 8.00pm)
Leicester City will make the short trip to the Pirelli Stadium on Wednesday for their second competitive game of the season on Wednesday, as they meet third-tier Burton Albion in the first round of the EFL Cup.
Following their relegation from the Premier League last term, the Foxes began life in the Championship with a victory away at Coventry City on Sunday, while their visitors suffered a defeat to Blackpool in their League One curtain-raiser.
We say: Burton Albion 0-3 Leicester City
Leicester are bound to rotate heavily on Wednesday, but they certainly have the strength in depth to comfortably get past Burton Albion, especially with the likes of Iheanacho and Daka fighting to earn their new manager's favour.
