Swansea vs. Bournemouth (Tuesday, 7.30pm)
© Reuters
Bournemouth will be aiming to book their spot in the third round of the EFL Cup when they travel to Championship side Swansea City on Tuesday night.
The away side will enter the match off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, while Swansea suffered a 2-1 loss to Preston North End in the Championship last time out.
We say: Swansea City 1-3 Bournemouth
Bournemouth have a stronger squad than Swansea, and we are expecting the Premier League outfit to book their spot in the third round of the competition. The Cherries have enjoyed their recent matches against Swansea, and we are backing that to continue in Tuesday's affair.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Tranmere vs. Leicester (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Tranmere Rovers take on Leicester City at Prenton Park on Tuesday night, in the second round of the EFL Cup.
It is the first time the two sides are set to meet in the competition since the final in 2000, in which Leicester emerged 2-1 winners at Wembley.
We say: Tranmere Rovers 0-2 Leicester City
Tranmere Rovers and Leicester City are separated by two divisions, with the Foxes performing very well in their respective league, while the Rovers have made a poor start to the season.
As such, we expect the visitors to record another relatively comfortable win in the EFL Cup, booking their place in the third round of the competition.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Stoke vs. Rotherham (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
A place in the third knockout round of the EFL Cup is up for grabs at the Bet365 Stadium on Tuesday when Stoke City lock horns with Rotherham United.
Both teams came away empty-handed from their most recent encounters, and they will be aiming to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.
We say: Stoke City 2-1 Rotherham United
Neither team is in particularly good form coming into this one, but we still anticipate an entertaining contest with a lot of attacking endeavour from both sides. That said, we are also backing the hosts to just about get the job done in the end.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Wrexham vs. Bradford (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
On Tuesday, Wrexham will welcome fellow League Two side Bradford City to the Racecourse Ground for an EFL Cup tie.
Wrexham beat Wigan Athletic on penalties to secure their place in the second round, while the Bantams prevailed in their shootout with Accrington Stanley.
We say: Wrexham 2-1 Bradford City
Bradford are yet to win an away game in regulation time this season, and we think they will be edged out by a Wrexham side who have no trouble finding the net.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Bolton vs. Middlesbrough (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Championship strugglers Middlesbrough will be aiming to book their spot in the third round of the EFL Cup when they travel to high-flying League One outfit Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday.
Boro will enter the match off the back of a 4-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion in the second tier on Saturday, while Bolton drew 1-1 with Burton Albion in the League One on the same afternoon.
We say: Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Middlesbrough
This is a difficult match to call, as both managers will make a number of changes. Bolton have certainly enjoyed the stronger start to the campaign, but we believe that Boro's superior quality will allow them to progress to the third round of the competition.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Port Vale vs. Crewe (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
On Tuesday, League One side Port Vale will go head-to-head with fourth-tier Crewe Alexandra in the second round of the EFL Cup.
The hosts beat Fleetwood Town 3-2 in the first round, while Crewe got the better of Sunderland in a penalty shootout.
We say: Port Vale 2-0 Crewe Alexandra
Port Vale are currently enjoying an impressive run of form, having won four and drawn one of their last five competitive matches.
With all three of their home matches this season resulting in victory, we think they will utilise home advantage to beat Crewe on Tuesday.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Sheff Weds vs. Mansfield (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Sheffield Wednesday take on Mansfield Town at Hillsborough on Tuesday night, in the second round of the EFL Cup.
At this early stage in the season, the hosts are bottom of the Championship table, while the visitors are seventh in League Two.
We say: Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Mansfield Town
Sheffield Wednesday have not made the best of starts to the season, so the EFL Cup may be a welcome distraction, and we think they should be good enough to get the job done.
Mansfield have started well in League Two, but their main aim will be promotion this season, so it is unclear how seriously they will take the EFL Cup, and Tuesday's game will be a tough test against Championship opposition.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Wolves vs. Blackpool (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Blackpool return to action in the EFL Cup when they take a trip to the Molineux Stadium to square off against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday.
Gary O'Neil's side head into the game fresh off the back of picking up their first Premier League win of the season and will look to continue in the same vein.
We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Blackpool
Fresh off the back of a morale-boosting victory over Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers will head into Tuesday with renewed confidence as they look to put together a fine run of form. Given the gulf in quality and depth between the two sides, we are tipping O'Neil's men to come away with a comfortable victory in this one.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Plymouth vs. Crystal Palace (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Crystal Palace get their 2023-24 EFL Cup campaign underway when they journey to Home Park to square off against Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday.
Since their first-round victory over Leyton Orient, the Championship side have struggled to grind out results and will head into this one looking to return to winning ways.
We say: Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Crystal Palace
While Plymouth will be looking to pick up where they dropped off in the first round, they face the daunting challenge of a well-drilled Crystal Palace side who have been solid this season. Hodgson's side boasts the firepower needed to get the job done and we predict they will build on the positives from Saturday's draw.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Portsmouth vs. Peterborough (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Portsmouth will welcome fellow League One side Peterborough United to Fratton Park for Tuesday's EFL Cup tie.
The hosts claimed a 3-1 victory over Forest Green Rovers to reach the second round, while the Posh held their nerve to beat Swindon Town on penalties.
We say: Portsmouth 2-1 Peterborough United
Portsmouth are currently enjoying a long unbeaten streak, and we think they will extend that run by claiming a narrow victory over a Peterborough side who have suffered consecutive defeats.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Luton vs. Gillingham (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Luton Town will be looking to put behind them a rough start to the season when they welcome Gillingham to Kenilworth Road in the EFL Cup round of 64.
Meanwhile, the away side set out to return to winning ways off the back of seeing their perfect start to the campaign come to an end last time out.
We say: Luton Town 3-1 Gillingham
While their start to life in the top flight has been far from ideal, Luton will back themselves to get the better of lower league opposition here. We fully expect the hosts to cruise to a routine win come the end of the 90 minutes.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Fulham vs. Spurs (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Arguably the pick of the ties in the second round of the EFL Cup will take place at Craven Cottage on Tuesday evening, with Fulham welcoming fellow Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur.
Fulham will enter the match off the back of a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the league on Saturday, while Tottenham recorded a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth on the same afternoon.
We say: Fulham 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Both managers will ring the changes for this contest, but it should still be an entertaining affair between two Premier League sides. It would not be a surprise to see a home win, but we just have a feeling that Spurs will shade the match to progress to the next round of the competition.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Tottenham Hotspur could line up against Fulham
> Tottenham injury, suspension list vs. Fulham
Exeter vs. Stevenage (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Two League One sides will lock horns in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening, with Exeter City welcoming Stevenage to Devon.
Both teams have made strong starts to their league seasons, with Exeter sitting second in the table on 10 points, while Stevenage are fifth, also picking up 10 points from their first five matches.
We say: Exeter City 1-0 Stevenage
This is a match that could swing either way, and it would certainly not be a surprise to see Stevenage progress to the next round of the competition. Exeter will have home advantage, though, and we believe that will help them navigate their way into the third round.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Wycombe vs. Sutton (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
A place in the third round of the EFL Cup will be at stake when Wycombe Wanderers welcome Sutton United to Adams Park on Tuesday.
The Chairboys are enjoying a three-game unbeaten run, while Sutton are experiencing a poor run of form after suffering four consecutive defeats.
We say: Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Sutton United
Wycombe head into Tuesday's contest in a positive mood, and we think they will continue their fine run of form against a Sutton side who are low on confidence following four straight defeats.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Birmingham vs. Cardiff (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Birmingham City and Cardiff City will battle it out for a place in the last 32 of the EFL Cup in Tuesday's meeting at the St. Andrew's Stadium.
Having both come out on top in their respective last outings, the teams will head into this one with the wind in their sails as they look to progress at the expense of each other.
We say: Birmingham City 2-1 Cardiff City
Birmingham are on an impressive run of results heading into this one, and the added advantage of playing on home turf makes them favourites. We are backing the home team to come out on top, albeit by only a narrow margin.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Newport vs. Brentford (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Newport County host Brentford at Rodney Parade on Tuesday night, in the second round of the EFL Cup.
The hosts are currently plying their trade in League Two, sitting in sixth place, while the visitors are ninth in the Premier League.
We say: Newport County 0-2 Brentford
Although they are likely to make a few changes to their starting lineup, Brentford should have more than enough quality to breeze past Newport County, and book their place in the next round.
The Bees made a push for the European spots last season, but they will be hoping they can go further in the EFL Cup, having exited at the third round stage against Gillingham in the previous campaign.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Salford City vs. Leeds (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Fresh from an enthralling seven-goal success over Ipswich Town in the Championship, Leeds United resume their EFL Cup campaign away to League Two outfit Salford City in the second round on Tuesday night.
While Daniel Farke's men emerged triumphant 4-3 in their most recent league affair, Neil Wood's men continued their inconsistent streak of form with a 2-1 loss at home to Accrington Stanley.
We say: Salford City 1-3 Leeds United
Having already sent Preston packing in this year's EFL Cup, Salford have nothing to lose on Tuesday and should at least fancy their chances of breaching a much-changed Leeds backline.
Farke's team are yet to click into gear on all fronts this season, but with an abundance of attacking talent waiting in the wings, the Whites should bring a swift end to Salford's EFL Cup adventure, as was the case four years ago.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Reading vs. Ipswich (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Both seeking to bounce back from painful league defeats at the weekend, Reading and Ipswich Town square off at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
The Royals went down to Exeter City 2-1 in their most recent League One affair, while the Tractor Boys came out on the wrong end of the scoreline in a seven-goal extravaganza with Leeds United.
We say: Reading 1-2 Ipswich Town
What Reading have lacked away from the Madejski Stadium so far this term, they have often made up for in front of their own supporters, and an Ipswich side whose morale took quite the hit at the weekend should not have it all their own way.
Changes can be expected on the visitors' end in particular, but McKenna's troops have a glint in their eyes in front of goal right now and ought to secure a hard-fought win en route to round three.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Ben Knapton
