Middlesbrough vs. Stoke (Tuesday, 7.15pm)
Two Championship teams will lock horns in the second round of the EFL Cup at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday evening, with Middlesbrough welcome Stoke City.
Boro will enter the contest off the back of a 2-2 draw with Portsmouth in the Championship on Saturday, while Stoke were beaten 2-1 at home by West Bromwich Albion on the same afternoon.
We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Stoke City
This is a tricky game to call, as both managers will make changes on Tuesday, and it is a match that could go either way. Middlesbrough will be able to call upon home advantage, though, and we are backing Carrick's team to navigate their way into the third round of the competition.
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Coventry vs. Oxford Utd (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
It will be an all-Championship affair at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Tuesday evening, as Coventry City welcome Oxford United in the second round of this season's EFL Cup.
The two sides are meeting for the second time already this season, with Coventry recording a 3-2 victory when the pair locked horns in the Championship on August 16.
We say: Coventry City 2-0 Oxford United
There will be a number of changes to both sides from their weekend fixtures, which makes this a difficult game to call, but we are expecting Coventry to secure their spot in the third round of the competition with a routine home success over their fellow Championship outfit.
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Watford vs. Plymouth (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Watford will be hoping to continue their strong start to the season when they host fellow Championship side Plymouth Argyle at Vicarage Road on Tuesday in the second round of the EFL Cup.
The home team ran out 5-0 winners against MK Dons in the previous round on August 13, while Wayne Rooney's Plymouth advanced after winning 3-0 and dominating proceedings against Cheltenham Town on the same date.
We say: Watford 2-1 Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth have proven they are capable of being resilient defensively, but they could struggle on Tuesday given the energy exerted in their valiant draw against QPR.
Watford will also be full of confidence after winning all four of their competitive games in 2024-25, and they should be favourites against Rooney's side.
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QPR vs. Luton (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
A place in the EFL Cup third round will be at stake when Queens Park Rangers play host to Luton Town on Tuesday.
QPR beat Cambridge United in the first round of the EFL Cup, while the Hatters are entering the competition in the second-round stage.
We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-2 Luton Town
QPR have seen their last two matches end all square, and while we believe they could play out another draw in Tuesday's EFL Cup clash, we think the hosts will still progress via a penalty shootout win.
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Brighton vs. Crawley (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Following their scintillating start to the new Premier League season, Brighton & Hove Albion will host Crawley Town in an EFL Cup tie on Tuesday.
The Seagulls soared to a last-gasp victory over Manchester United last time out, but their League One visitors are also in good form, having won four games from five so far.
We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Crawley Town
Even with a much-changed XI, Brighton should comfortably overcome opponents who were playing in League Two last season, as the Seagulls' squad depth is quite impressive.
Crawley will expect to suffer long spells without the ball against their Premier League neighbours, who are sure to score at least once at the Amex.
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Millwall vs. Leyton Orient (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Championship side Millwall are set to host League One team Leyton Orient at The Den on Tuesday in the second round of the EFL Cup.
The home side narrowly progressed to the second stage after beating Portsmouth 1-0 on August 13, while the visitors comfortably advanced after beating Newport County 4-1 on the same date.
We say: Millwall 4-1 Leyton Orient
While Millwall have been defensively vulnerable this season, they have at least been strong from an offensive perspective, and they could threaten Leyton Orient's goal on Tuesday.
It would not be surprising if the Championship side took an early lead, and if the visitors struggled to get back into the game against their higher-tier opponents.
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Everton vs. Doncaster (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Needing to restore a sense of pride after a dreadful start to Premier League proceedings, Everton host League Two Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Cup second round on Tuesday evening.
While the Toffees enter the competition at the second hurdle, their visitors have already conquered Salford City to earn a midweek trip to Goodison Park.
We say: Everton 3-0 Doncaster Rovers
Rather than being condemned to a heavy defeat with no goals at the correct end of the pitch, Everton ought to make amends for their Premier League failures with their own emphatic triumph on Tuesday.
Last year's EFL Cup contest between these two clubs was a close-run affair, but in front of the Goodison crowd, we can only picture Dyche's men running out straightforward winners.
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Blackburn vs. Blackpool (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
On Tuesday, Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers will welcome League One Blackpool to Ewood Park for an EFL Cup clash.
Blackburn thrashed Stockport County to seal their spot in the second round, while the Tangerines breezed past Burton Albion.
We say: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Blackpool
Blackburn have made an impressive start to the new season, and we think they will showcase their Championship quality to dispatch a Blackpool side who may be low on confidence after failing to win any of their opening three league games.
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Shrewsbury vs. Bolton (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Shrewsbury Town and Bolton Wanderers will both be vying for a place in the EFL Cup third round when they face off in Shropshire on Tuesday evening.
The two League One sides were both forced to negotiate penalty shootouts to seal their spots in the second round.
We say: Shrewsbury Town 1-2 Bolton Wanderers
Bolton may have fallen at this stage in each of the last three seasons, but we think they will end that run when they face a Shrewsbury side they have beaten in four of the previous six meetings.
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Barrow vs. Derby (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Barrow are set to take on Derby County at The Dunes Hotel Stadium on Tuesday evening in the second round of the 2024-25 EFL Cup.
The hosts narrowly defeated Port Vale in the first round of the competition, while the visitors had to come from behind to beat Chesterfield in their first-round tie.
We say: Barrow 1-2 Derby County
While the hosts will be full of confidence after a 4-0 win in their last game, but the visitors boast more quality throughout their squad and should secure a victory in this one.
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Leicester vs. Tranmere (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Still searching for his first competitive win as Leicester City manager, Steve Cooper will hope that the third time is the charm when his side host Tranmere Rovers in Tuesday's EFL Cup second-round clash.
The Foxes welcome their League Two counterparts to the King Power Stadium on the back of losing 2-1 to Fulham in the Premier League, while their visitors already have one 3-0 win to their name in this year's League Cup.
We say: Leicester City 3-0 Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere's exceptional defensive streak amid their early-season injury crisis has been nothing short of magnificent, but they will almost certainly come unstuck at the King Power.
Even with a rotated squad, Leicester - who have been Tranmere's chief EFL Cup nemesis since the turn of the millennium - should advance to round three without breaking too much of a sweat.
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Barnsley vs. Sheff Utd (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
League One and Championship collide in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night, when Barnsley welcome Sheffield United to their Oakwell base.
The Tykes edged out Wigan Athletic on penalties to avoid an immediate elimination, while their second-tier foes emerged victorious from a six-goal thriller with Wrexham.
We say: Barnsley 1-2 Sheffield United
Goals at both ends of the pitch are almost a guarantee whenever Barnsley are in action, and Tuesday's tie should be no different, especially after their calamitous defensive capitulation at the weekend.
Such rearguard deficiencies should be exposed even by a rotated Sheffield United side, who will be made to work for their victory at Oakwell but ought to advance to round three regardless.
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Walsall vs. Huddersfield (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Walsall are set to host Huddersfield Town at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Tuesday evening, both aiming to progress into the third round of the 2024-25 EFL Cup.
The hosts dramatically beat Exeter City 4-3 on penalties in the first round, while the visitors comfortably defeated Morecambe 3-0 to advance into the second round.
We say: Walsall 1-3 Huddersfield Town
While Walsall have enjoyed a positive start to the term, Huddersfield have been unstoppable with four wins in four matches so far, and we expect that streak to continue with another win for the visitors here.
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Grimsby Town vs. Sheff Weds (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
League Two Grimsby Town will play host to Championship opponents Sheffield Wednesday at Blundell Park on Tuesday in the second round of the 2024-25 EFL Cup.
The hosts narrowly progressed past Bradford City on penalties in the first round, while the visitors defeated Hull City in their first-round matchup.
We say: Grimsby Town 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Neither side have had the best start to their respective seasons, both winning two and losing two of their four matches, but with the visitors playing two leagues higher than the hosts, a victory for Sheffield Wednesday is anticipated.
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Fleetwood vs. Rotherham (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
In the second round of the EFL Cup, League Two Fleetwood Town are set to host League One Rotherham United at Highbury Stadium on Tuesday.
The home side beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 on August 13 in the first round of the competition, while the visitors progressed to the second stage after they beat Crewe Alexandra 2-1 on the same date.
We say: Fleetwood Town 1-2 Rotherham United
Although Fleetwood performed admirably from a defensive perspective against West Brom, it would be surprising if they managed to win against higher-tier opposition once again.
Rotherham could create chances given their good offensive play, but if they fail to convert these opportunities, then they may find it difficult on Tuesday.
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Harrogate vs. Preston (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Harrogate Town will take on Preston North End at the CNG Stadium on Tuesday evening in the second round of the 2024-25 EFL Cup.
The hosts defeated Lincoln City 2-1 in the first round of this competition, while the visitors beat Sunderland 2-0 in their first-round tie.
We say: Harrogate Town 1-2 Preston North End
Preston will be the favourites heading into this match, given they compete two divisions above their hosts, but with the team still adjusting under their new boss, we expect a fairly tight game with the visitors ultimately securing the win.
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Birmingham vs. Fulham (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
Bidding to at least replicate last year's memorable run to the EFL Cup semi-finals, Fulham's latest knockout adventure begins with a second-round trip to Birmingham City on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, their League One hosts have already had to navigate their way past Charlton Athletic to set up a tie with Premier League opposition, as both endeavour to build on weekend wins.
We say: Birmingham City 0-2 Fulham
Even though Birmingham have quickly developed a winning formula under Davies, they well and truly rode their luck against Charlton in round one and will face a serious step-up in quality here.
Blues should not be blown to smithereens by any stretch, but a place in the third-round draw surely belongs to the Cottagers.
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Crystal Palace vs. Norwich (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
Crystal Palace kick off their latest EFL Cup campaign on Tuesday, as they welcome Norwich City to Selhurst Park with a place in the third round at stake.
Palace have started slowly in the Premier League, while the Canaries are yet to win a Championship game, so both will be keen to turn a corner.
We say: Crystal Palace 2-0 Norwich City
Both sides might be more concerned with their league form than progressing in the EFL Cup, but Crystal Palace generally produce their best stuff on home turf, and they should go through.
Norwich City have been leaking goals at a rate of two per game this season, so the Eagles are set to pick them apart on Tuesday evening.
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