Nottingham Forest have been handed a mouth-watering home tie against Leeds United in the EFL Cup second round, setting up an early-season Premier League meeting that will now be followed by another clash between the two clubs just days later.
The four-time winners will welcome Leeds in the only all-Premier League fixture of the second round, with the tie scheduled for the midweek of the week commencing Monday, August 24.
The draw adds another intriguing chapter to a fixture that was already on the calendar for the opening weekend of the Premier League season. Forest are due to host Leeds in their league opener on August 22, meaning the two sides could face each other twice within a matter of days.
EFL Cup second round produces Forest-Leeds showdown
The EFL Cup second round draw has delivered one of the most eye-catching ties possible, with Nottingham Forest and Leeds United paired together at the City Ground.
Forest are four-time winners of the competition and will now attempt to begin another run towards domestic silverware against fellow Premier League opposition.
For Leeds, the tie provides an immediate test against a Forest side that has established itself as a competitive force in the top flight.
The unusual scheduling also adds an extra layer of intrigue. The clubs are already due to meet in their opening Premier League fixture on August 22, before the EFL Cup second round takes place the following week.
That could mean two competitive meetings in the space of just a few days, potentially giving both managers a difficult decision over squad rotation and priorities.
Chelsea and Tottenham handed home ties
Chelsea, five-time winners of the competition, will begin their EFL Cup campaign at Stamford Bridge against League One side Luton Town.
The London club will be expected to progress, although knockout football can produce surprises, particularly when teams from different divisions meet.
Tottenham have also been handed a home fixture, with Championship side Charlton Athletic travelling to north London.
The draw gives both Premier League clubs the advantage of playing in front of their own supporters as they begin their respective campaigns in the competition.
Everton, meanwhile, face an interesting trip to Preston North End, giving manager David Moyes a return to the club where he began his managerial career.
Newcastle United will host Championship opposition in the shape of West Bromwich Albion, while Fulham welcome AFC Wimbledon to Craven Cottage.
Brentford face one of the potentially trickier assignments, travelling to Birmingham City, while Ipswich Town will host Leicester City.
Second round draw includes several intriguing ties
The second round draw was divided into northern and southern sections, creating a collection of interesting match-ups across the country.
In the northern section, Stoke City will face Hull City, while Blackburn Rovers host Sheffield United. Fleetwood Town take on Shrewsbury Town, and Bradford City welcome Burnley.
Sheffield Wednesday have been paired with Wolves, Blackpool will face Lincoln City, and Preston’s meeting with Everton completes another notable tie.
Barnsley will play Crewe Alexandra, while Doncaster Rovers host Middlesbrough.
The southern section contains several more fixtures featuring clubs from different divisions.
Stevenage will play Reading, Cardiff City face Norwich City and Walsall host Leyton Orient. Cambridge United will welcome Millwall, while Watford take on Peterborough United.
Southampton have been drawn against West Ham United after the Hammers defeated Portsmouth in the first round.
Plymouth Argyle or Exeter City will meet Coventry City, depending on the outcome of their first-round fixture.
European clubs enter EFL Cup later
The EFL Cup second round will not feature the nine English clubs involved in European competition this season.
Those sides will enter the competition at the third-round stage, meaning the second round provides an opportunity for several other clubs to advance before the Premier League’s European representatives join the tournament.
For teams such as Forest, Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle, however, the competition represents an opportunity to add silverware to their seasons.
Forest’s meeting with Leeds is particularly compelling because of the timing. The two clubs will already have faced each other in the Premier League on August 22, making their subsequent cup meeting a rare chance for supporters to see the same fixture repeated almost immediately.
The first encounter could therefore have an influence on the second, although both managers may make substantial changes to their starting line-ups.
Full EFL Cup second round draw
The northern section features Stoke City against Hull City, Newcastle United against West Bromwich Albion, Blackburn Rovers against Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest against Leeds United.
Fleetwood Town will play Shrewsbury Town, Bradford City face Burnley, Sheffield Wednesday take on Wolves and Blackpool meet Lincoln City. Preston North End host Everton, Barnsley face Crewe Alexandra, while Doncaster Rovers welcome Middlesbrough.
In the southern section, Stevenage play Reading, Cardiff City meet Norwich City, Ipswich Town host Leicester City and Walsall face Leyton Orient.
Cambridge United will play Millwall, Birmingham City host Brentford and Southampton welcome West Ham United. Watford face Peterborough United, Fulham host AFC Wimbledon and Plymouth or Exeter will meet Coventry City.
Chelsea will welcome Luton Town, while Tottenham host Charlton Athletic.
The ties are scheduled for the midweek beginning Monday, August 24, with clubs now preparing for another busy spell at the start of the new season.
For Forest and Leeds, the EFL Cup second round draw has created an especially unusual situation: two competitive meetings, at the same stadium, within just a few days.
