Carlisle vs. Stoke (Tuesday, 7.30pm)
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Stoke City will be looking to build on their positive start to the season when they face Carlisle United in the EFL Cup first round on Tuesday evening.
While the Potters got off to a winning start in the Championship, the home side were comprehensively defeated in their first match back in League Two.
We say: Carlisle United 1-3 Stoke City
While much could depend on the strength of the two starting lineups, it may only act as a way of closing up the scoreline. We are backing Stoke to come through this contest in convincing style, taking an early lead and easing to a comfortable victory.
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Stockport vs. Blackburn (Tuesday, 7.30pm)
![Dave Challinor manager of Stockport County during the Pre-season friendly match Stockport County vs Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport, United Kingdom, August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/dave-challinor.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Dave Challinor manager of Stockport County during the Pre-season friendly match Stockport County vs Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport, United Kingdom, August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]")
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In the first round of the EFL Cup, Stockport County are set to host Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park on Tuesday.
The home side began their 2024-25 season in League One with a win against Cambridge United on August 10, while the visitors beat Derby County on August 9 in the first game of their Championship campaign.
We say: Stockport County 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
Although Stockport will look to use the home crowd to their advantage, it is difficult to ignore the fact they are one division below Blackburn.
Additionally, the visitors' stronger record in the EFL Cup should make them favourites ahead of Tuesday's match.
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Cambridge vs. QPR (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Queens Park Rangers head into Tuesday's EFL Cup first round tie with Cambridge United looking to bounce back from a disappointing start in the Championship.
The same can be said for Cambridge in League One, a scenario being created where both teams will be taking this game more seriously than perhaps initially envisaged.
We say: Cambridge United 1-2 Queens Park Rangers
With fewer changes potentially being made to each team, QPR should probably come through this contest with a win. However, we expect the home team to push them all the way in a game which could feature goals during the latter stages.
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Oxford Utd vs. Peterborough (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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On Tuesday, Championship side Oxford United will welcome Peterborough United to the Kassam Stadium for an EFL Cup encounter
The first-round fixture offers a repeat of last season's League One playoff semi-final which Oxford won by a 2-1 aggregate scoreline.
We say: Oxford United 2-1 Peterborough United
Oxford won both of their home games against Peterborough last season, and we think they will make full use of home advantage again to record a narrow win and seal their place in the second round of the EFL Cup.
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Norwich vs. Stevenage (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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After the excitement of their respective league openers on the weekend, Norwich City and Stevenage will clash at Carrow Road in the first round of this season's EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
The Canaries suffered a tricky start to their Championship campaign, whilst the Boro managed a narrow victory as they commenced their League One adventures on Saturday afternoon.
We say: Norwich City 2-0 Stevenage
Following their shock defeat on the weekend, Norwich will be desperate to put League One Stevenage to the sword in the cup at Carrow Road on Tuesday.
The Boro have a history of recording giant killings in recent times, but we feel that the third-tier visitors will fall to defeat in East Anglia with little fuss.
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Portsmouth vs. Millwall (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Two Championship sides will face off in Tuesday's EFL Cup clash between Portsmouth and Millwall at Fratton Park.
Pompey head into the first-round fixture off the back of an entertaining draw in their league opener against Leeds United, while Millwall began their Championship campaign with a narrow defeat to Watford.
We say: Portsmouth 2-1 Millwall
Portsmouth may have struggled in recent meetings with Millwall, but they have progressed from the first round in the last two seasons, and we think they will do enough to continue that run on Tuesday.
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Bristol City vs. Coventry (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Ashton Gate will host a battle between two Championship sides on Tuesday night, when Bristol City and Coventry City fight for a place in the second round of the EFL Cup.
The Robins secured a point during their second-tier opener on Saturday afternoon, whilst the Sky Blues were not as successful on their respective Championship adventures.
We say: Bristol City 1-2 Coventry City
Bristol City will be desperate to win in front of their Ashton Gate faithful after dropping two points in the final moments at Hull on the weekend.
Coventry have a number of exciting attackers who are set to start on Tuesday even if Robins elects to rotate his XI, so we are envisaging progression into the second round for the Sky Blues.
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Cardiff vs. Bristol Rovers (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Looking to bounce back from their opening day defeat in the EFL Championship, Cardiff City will host Bristol Rovers at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday in the first round of the EFL Cup.
While the hosts lost their first league match of 2024-25, the visitors secured a last-gasp victory against Northampton Town in their League One opener.
We say: Cardiff City 2-0 Bristol Rovers
Despite losing their opening game of the season, and Bristol Rovers winning theirs, Cardiff boast a much stronger side, owing to the fact they play a division higher, and the hosts should comfortably win this one.
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Watford vs. MK Dons (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
![Watford head coach Tom Cleverley during the EFL Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Watford at The Den, London, England on August 10, 2024. [on August 11, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/tom-cleverley.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Watford head coach Tom Cleverley during the EFL Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Watford at The Den, London, England on August 10, 2024. [on August 11, 2024]")
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In the first round of the EFL Cup, Watford are set to host MK Dons at Vicarage Road on Tuesday.
The home side began their 2024-25 season in the Championship with a 3-2 win against Millwall on August 10, while the visitors lost against Bradford City on the same day in the first game of their League Two campaign.
We say: Watford 1-1 MK Dons (MK Dons win on penalties)
Although Watford are two divisions higher than their opponents, the Dons do have a favourable record in recent matches against the Hornets.
Additionally, considering the home side have lost their last three games in the EFL Cup, it is reasonable to assume they could struggle again on Tuesday.
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Swansea vs. Gillingham (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Swansea City will be looking to bounce back from a defeat in their league opener when they welcome Gillingham to the Liberty Stadium for Tuesday's EFL Cup contest.
In contrast to their hosts, Gillingham will head into the first-round tie in high spirits after they kicked off their League Two campaign with a dominant win over Carlisle United.
We say: Swansea City 3-1 Gillingham
Swansea may have experienced a disappointing start to their league campaign, but we think they will showcase their Championship quality to get the better of League Two Gillingham on Tuesday.
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Fleetwood vs. West Brom (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Both coming into this clash buoyed by wins on the weekend, Fleetwood Town and West Bromwich Albion will meet in the first round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
The Cod Army recorded a narrow success over Grimsby Town in League Two on Saturday, whilst the Baggies had a hat-trick hero to thank for maximum points at Queens Park Rangers.
We say: Fleetwood Town 1-2 West Bromwich Albion
Should they field a strong starting XI, Fleetwood have a good chance of springing a surprise against their Championship visitors on Tuesday night.
West Brom's second-string side could start slowly at Highbury Stadium, although we are backing the Baggies to finish well and book their spot in the next round.
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Preston vs. Sunderland (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Two EFL Championship sides are to set to go head-to-head on Sunday as Preston North End host Sunderland at Deepdale on Tuesday in the first round of the EFL Cup.
The hosts lost their opening league fixture 2-0 to Sheffield United, while the visitors defeated Cardiff 2-0 in their first match of the season.
We say: Preston North End 1-2 Sunderland
While Preston fell to defeat in their opening fixture, Sunderland picked up a confidence-boosting victory, and we expect the visitors to continue their positive momentum with a win here.
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Sheff Utd vs. Wrexham (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
![Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney (left) and Ryan Reynolds, who have welcomed the decision for the club to take over the Racecourse Ground lease and allow them to push ahead with stadium development on November 20, 2023. [on August 11, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/rob-mcelhenney-and-ryan-reynolds.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney (left) and Ryan Reynolds, who have welcomed the decision for the club to take over the Racecourse Ground lease and allow them to push ahead with stadium development on November 20, 2023. [on August 11, 2024]")
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In the first round of the EFL Cup, Sheffield United are set to host Wrexham at Bramall Lane on Tuesday.
The home side began their 2024-25 season in the Championship with a 2-0 win against Preston North End on August 9, while the visitors beat Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 on August 10 in the first game of their League One campaign.
We say: Sheffield United 2-1 Wrexham
Although Wrexham have done remarkably well to earn back to back promotions and reach League One, they could find it difficult against Championship side Sheffield United.
However, if their game against Wycombe is anything to go by, the Red Dragons will make the Blades work for the victory.
