Carabao Cup is a curious competition. Even though it’s supposed to be like FA Cup’s younger sibling, it never gets the attention or the hype among football fans in England. The Premier League clubs are mainly to blame because their coaches use the competition to blood youngsters, fringe players and those needing playing time following their injuries. Who would want to watch that?Well, it would be way too cynical to call the competition worthless or irrelevant – even though it’s not as important as the FA Cup and most certainly far less relevant than the Premier League.But the second round is always enjoyable because it’s the first stage of the competition where the big boys get in the mix – resulting in some exotic and intriguing matchups. For example, Everton will travel to the town of Fleetwood for a game at The Cod Army’s Highbury Stadium. This might be the first start for new signing Andre Onana and veteran Seamus Coleman. And Frank Lampard will be happy with an opportunity to finally beat someone, even if it’s a third-tier club.It’s Posh. 🎩It’s the @Carabao_Cup. 🏆It’s MATCHDAY! 🙌🎟 https://t.co/BzF1QIgRLp pic.twitter.com/Te9As9qDf6— Stevenage FC 🔴⚪ (@StevenageFC) August 23, 2022 Ralph Hasenhuttl intends to maintain Southampton’s cup exploits for as long as possible once again as he looks to utilise his squad fully. The Saints travel to League One side Cambridge on the back of a first Premier League win, having come from behind to beat Leicester. Hasenhuttl guided Southampton to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup last season and also reached the fourth round of the FA Cup. They will try again.Aston Villa will travel to Bolton for a match with Wanderers. Remember when the team from the Reebok Stadium played in the Premier League and fielded players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Nicolas Anelka, Fernando Hierro and the likes? Those days are all gone now, and the Wanderer fight in the third division. Villa are bidding for a positive response after surrendering an early lead to lose 3-1 at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday. Boss Gerrard, who has been frustrated by the inconsistency of his side, is wary of coming unstuck against the Trotters.Fulham will head for the Broadfield Stadium for a clash with lowly Crawley Town, having secured their first Premier League victory since their return when they beat Brentford 3-2 on Saturday. Serbia international Aleksandar Mitrovic snatched victory at the death with his third goal of the campaign to date, much to the relief of head coach Marco Silva.In cup action tonight 🤝 🆚 @NorwichCityFC 🏟 Carrow Road 🏆 @Carabao_Cup ⏰ 7.45pm kick-off Safe travels, #afcb fans ❤️ pic.twitter.com/G6dywf6OBP— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 23, 2022 Wolves boss Bruno Lage could use their match against EFL Championship team Preston North End to get match fitness into his returning troops. Striker Raul Jimenez made his first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League defeat at Tottenham on his return from knee and groin injuries and is yet to work his way back up to full speed. This could be the night for him to get on the scoresheet again.In other games, Crystal Palace travel to injury-hit Oxford United with goalkeeper Sam Johnstone set for his competitive debut. Michael Olise, Will Hughes and Luka Milivojevic are likely to start in midfield.Newly-promoted Premier League team Bournemouth will travel to Norwich to face the Canaries, who suffered demotion a few months ago. The Cherries boss Scott Parker has confirmed he will utilise the squad for the trip to Carrow Road.CARABAO CUP – SECOND ROUNDTuesday20:00: (3.10) Walsall (3.25) Charlton (2.35)21.30: (4.40) Shrewsbury (3.50) Burnley (1.85)21.30: (1.45) Sheffield W. (4.40) Rochdale (7.25)21.45: (3.35) Derby (3.20) WBA (2.25)21.45: (2.60) Barrow (3.20) Lincoln City (2.80)21.45: (7.25) Cambridge (4.40) Southampton (1.45)21.45: (3.25) Bradford (3.30) Blackburn (2.25)21.45: (11.0) Colchester (6.25) Brentford (1.25)21.45: (10.0) Crawley Town (6.50) Fulham (1.25)21.45: (6.50) Fleetwood (4.30) Everton (1.50)21.45: (7.75) Bolton (4.50) Aston Villa (1.42)21.45: (1.57) Watford (3.90) Milton Keynes Dons (6.25)21.45: (3.20) Newport (3.25) Portsmouth (2.30)21.45: (3.35) Gillingham (3.35) Exeter (2.20)21.45: (8.50) Grimsby (4.50) Nott.Forest (1.40)21.45: (1.53) Wolverhampton (4.00) Preston (6.75)21.45: (2.75) Stevenage (3.30) Peterborough (2.55)21.45: (8.50) Stockport (4.50) Leicester (1.40)21.45: (1.45) Rotherham (4.40) Morecambe (7.50)21.45: (2.50) Norwich (3.25) Bournemouth (2.90)21.45: (12.0) Oxford (6.50) Crystal Palace (1.23)Wednesday21.45: (8.50) Forest Green (4.50) Brighton (1.40)21.45: (11.0) Tranmere (5.50) Newcastle (1.28)21.45: (3.05) Wycombe (3.35) Bristol City (2.35)21.45: (1.28) Leeds (5.70) Barnsley (10.5)***odds are subject to change
