Nottingham Forest have been drawn against Leeds United in the second round of the Carabao Cup, producing the only all-Premier League fixture in this stage of the competition. The tie is scheduled for the week commencing Monday, 24 August 2026, and comes just days after the same two clubs meet in their opening Premier League fixture of the season on 22 August 2026.
Elsewhere in the draw, five-time winners Chelsea will host League One side Luton Town at Stamford Bridge, while Tottenham Hotspur have been paired with Championship club Charlton Athletic. David Moyes is set to return to Deepdale, where he began his managerial career, as Everton travel to face Preston North End. Newcastle United will take on second-tier West Bromwich Albion, and Fulham are due to welcome AFC Wimbledon to Craven Cottage. Brentford face a potentially awkward away trip to Birmingham City, and League One's Leicester City have been drawn against Ipswich Town. In the southern half of the draw, West Ham United — who beat Portsmouth in Saturday's first round — will travel to fellow Championship outfit Southampton.
Why is the Forest v Leeds tie drawing extra attention?
The fixture stands out because it effectively forms part of what Leeds have described as an opening-week double header at the City Ground, with the League Cup meeting following closely on the heels of the pair's Premier League opener there, according to a Leeds United statement. A separate fixture database entry from ESPN's match listing confirms the Carabao Cup tie will also be staged at the City Ground on 22 August 2026, though final details on timing and ticketing have yet to be published.
What history do the two clubs have in this competition?
Nottingham Forest arrive as four-time winners of the League Cup in its various guises, giving them one of the stronger pedigrees among this season's entrants. Leeds, by contrast, have lifted the trophy only once, back in 1968, according to the same club statement, making this second-round meeting a contrast in cup pedigree between the two Premier League sides.
West Ham's presence in this round follows directly from their first-round victory over Portsmouth at the London Stadium, part of a wider set of ties played as the competition got under way, as detailed in earlier coverage of the opening round.
What happens next?
All second-round matches, including Forest against Leeds, are set to be played in the week commencing Monday, 24 August 2026. Leeds' own statement notes that the draw has now been completed but that full fixture scheduling and ticketing information for the round will be confirmed at a later date. The nine English clubs competing in European competition this season will not enter the tournament until the third round.
Key Facts
- Nottingham Forest will face Leeds United in the Carabao Cup second round, the only all-Premier League tie of the round.
- The two clubs also meet in the Premier League on 22 August 2026, days before the cup tie.
- Forest have won the League Cup four times; Leeds have won it once, in 1968.
- Chelsea host Luton, Tottenham face Charlton, and David Moyes returns to Preston with Everton.
- Second-round ties are scheduled for the week commencing 24 August 2026, with full details still to be confirmed.
