Oldham vs. Accrington (Tuesday, 7.00pm)
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Accrington Stanley will travel to Oldham Athletic on Tuesday as they look to extend their four-match winning streak by earning a place in the third round of the EFL Cup.
League Two opposition Oldham have not had quite as strong of a start to the season, but cup football could prove to be the exact type of distraction needed.
We say: Oldham Athletic 0-2 Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley have had an impressive start to the season, which they will no doubt look to continue at the expense of Oldham in the EFL Cup.
Their ability to defend a one-goal lead is something that could prove to be vital if they get ahead in the game, as they will happily shut up shop and make it tough for Oldham to get back into the game.
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Norwich vs. Bournemouth (Tuesday, 7.00pm)
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Norwich City will be eager to get their first win of the season when they host Bournemouth in the EFL Cup second round on Tuesday evening.
The Canaries have made a winless start to life back in the Premier League, while the Cherries are shaping up as early promotion contenders from the Championship.
We say: Norwich City 0-1 Bournemouth
If Norwich decide to rotate at Carrow Road then we think Bournemouth might progress at their expense. The Cherries have made a strong start to the Championship season and will be keen to keep momentum going against a Canaries squad shell-shocked by defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City.
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Swansea vs. Plymouth (Tuesday, 7.00pm)
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Having recently collected his first league win as Swansea City manager, Russell Martin will lead his side into a home clash with third-tier Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday in the second round of this year's EFL Cup.
The Swans seem to have developed quickly, while their visitors have been somewhat of a surprise package on League One so far this season, and will arrive hoping to cause an upset.
We say: Swansea City 2-1 Plymouth Argyle
While Plymouth will certainly pose a threat going forward, Swansea should have enough to book their spot in the third round even with a rotated squad.
The side seems to be developing with Martin's system, and we expect them to dominate the League One side on Tuesday, eventually coming out with a win.
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Wigan vs. Bolton (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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An intriguing EFL Cup second round tie takes place at the DW Stadium on Tuesday evening, as Wigan Athletic meet Lancashire rivals Bolton Wanderers.
The fans will be relishing the first derby between the two sides in over two years, and will be hoping to gain bragging rights by knocking the other out of the EFL Cup.
We say: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Bolton Wanderers (Wigan to win on penalties)
This intriguing derby appears to be a tough second round EFL Cup tie to call. We say this will be a tight affair after a strong start to the season for two similarly matched teams, so a 1-1 draw appears likely, with penalties being required to decide the tie.
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Huddersfield vs. Everton (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Everton will be looking to progress into the third round of the EFL Cup when they travel to the John Smith's Stadium on Tuesday evening to take on Championship outfit Huddersfield Town.
The Toffees have made a positive start to their 2021-22 Premier League season, picking up four points from two matches, while Huddersfield have secured seven points from their four Championship fixtures this term.
We say: Huddersfield Town 1-2 Everton
Confidence will be high in the Everton camp after a strong start to 2021-22, and we are expecting the Toffees to progress into the third round of the EFL Cup. Huddersfield will also enter the match off the back of two strong results, but we believe that the Premier League outfit's superior quality will shine through.
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Sheff Utd vs. Derby (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Sheffield United head into their EFL Cup second round tie with Derby County looking for a much-needed victory after their abysmal start to the new Championship campaign.
While Wayne Rooney may ring the changes for the fixture at Bramall Lane, the England legend will call on his Rams squad to cause a surprise on Tuesday night.
We say: Sheffield United 3-1 Derby County
At some point this season, things will surely click into gear for Sheffield United. While it remains to be seen how Jokanovic will approach this fixture, we are still backing the Blades to overcome what we expect to be a second-string Derby team.
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Stoke vs. Doncaster (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Stoke City will look to extend their unbeaten start to the season to six matches when they play host to Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Cup second round.
At a time when the Potters are flying high in the Championship, Doncaster are still awaiting their first win in League One.
We say: Stoke City 3-1 Doncaster Rovers
Regardless of two much-changed lineups likely being on show at the bet365 Stadium, the end result should stay the same. There is confidence and competition for places within this Stoke squad, leading us to predict a relatively comfortable victory for the home side.
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Shrewsbury vs. Rochdale (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Shrewsbury Town host Rochdale in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening at New Meadow, with both sides looking to progress to the third round.
Neither of the two teams have started the season in good form, so will be looking for a victory in this tie to act as a catalyst in their league form too.
We say: Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Rochdale (Shrewsbury to win on penalties)
This is an interesting match-up at New Meadow on Tuesday. Normally, Shrewsbury would be expected to win due to being a division higher than their opponents, but with their dismal start to the season coupled with Rochdale's boost from their first win at the weekend, we say Rochdale could get at least a draw here and take this one to penalties.
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Morecambe vs. Preston (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Morecambe will be hoping to pull off another cup shock when they host Preston North End in the EFL Cup second round on Tuesday evening.
The Shrimps knocked out fellow Lancashire outfit Blackburn Rovers in round one and now face another local derby against Championship opposition.
We say: Morecambe 1-1 Preston North End
Morecambe will fancy their chances of causing another upset, particularly given Preston's less than convincing start to the Championship season. The Lilywhites will gain confidence from beating Peterborough, but we still think the game will end level in 90 minutes; then we are backing Preston to win on penalties.
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Blackpool vs. Sunderland (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Sunderland, who were EFL Cup finalists in 2014, travel to Blackpool in the second round of this season's competition on Tuesday evening.
The Black Cats have dropped from the Premier League to League One since their Wembley date seven years ago, while the Tangerines are currently adjusting to life back in the Championship.
We say: Blackpool 2-2 Sunderland
These two sides only finished three points apart in League One last season and this should be an as evenly-matched game as that suggests. Sunderland will be in a more confident mood, but Blackpool's comeback against Bournemouth should give them a boos; we think it will go to penalties, where Sunderland will prevail.
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Leeds vs. Crewe (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Leeds United will be looking to progress to the third round of the EFL Cup when they welcome League One outfit Crewe Alexandra to Elland Road on Tuesday night.
The Whites will enter the match off the back of a 2-2 draw with Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, while Crewe suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Accrington Stanley on the same afternoon.
We say: Leeds United 2-0 Crewe Alexandra
Both managers will make a number of their changes from their league fixtures at the weekend, but we are struggling to see past Leeds here. A number of Bielsa's fringe players will be keen to prove a point, and we are expecting a relatively comfortable progression into the third round for the Premier League club.
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Brentford vs. Forest Green (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Brentford begin their EFL Cup campaign at home to League Two side Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday evening.
The Bees went on their best ever run in the competition last season by reaching the semi-finals, while Rovers have never made it past the second round.
We say: Brentford 2-1 Forest Green Rovers
There is certainly potential for an upset here, considering Rovers' brilliant start to the season and the fact that Brentford are likely to rotate. It should be a close, entertaining affair, but we think the Bees will have enough to progress.
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Millwall vs. Cambridge (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Millwall will welcome Cambridge United to The Den on Tuesday as the two sides look to progress in the EFL Cup with the Lions looking to secure their first victory in three games.
The League One side will travel to London aiming to secure consecutive victories after defeating Burton Albion 3-0 at the weekend.
We say: Millwall 1-2 Cambridge United
While Millwall might be the favourites due to the fact that they are in the league above, the lack of confidence that the team has right now could see them struggle within this cup tie.
Cambridge United will be aiming to pick up a second win in a row here and with the fantastic start to the season they have made, they could end up causing a big upset.
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Cardiff vs. Brighton (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Following the introduction of several Premier League sides into the EFL Cup in the second round, Brighton & Hove Albion begin their campaign with a trip to South Wales to take on Championship outfit Cardiff City.
The hosts progressed through the first round with a 3-2 win over Sutton United, while both have had positive starts to their respective league seasons.
We say: Cardiff City 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
While both sides have had strong starts to the season, Brighton's sights may be more firmly set on the Premier League, and with a rotated side, they could be caught off guard by a talented and physical Cardiff outfit.
The hosts will be keen to continue their unbeaten run by claiming a top-flight scalp, and we fancy them to cause somewhat of an upset.
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Birmingham vs. Fulham (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Following strong starts to the Championship campaign, Birmingham City and Fulham will clash in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday.
The Blues defeated Colchester United to reach this stage and recorded a dominant league win last time out, while their visitors will enter the competition at this stage after an unbeaten start to the league campaign.
We say: Birmingham City 1-2 Fulham
Given the strong starts of both sides and the likelihood of key players being rested, this could come down to which team has the greater squad depth, and we think the Cottagers narrowly edge it.
The visitors boast plenty of Premier League quality in their ranks, while Carvalho has lit the league up in the first four games, and we would not look past him starring in another victory.
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Gillingham vs. Cheltenham (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Two early strugglers in League One meet in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening, as Gillingham host Cheltenham Town at the Priestfield Stadium.
Both sides knocked out League Two opponents in the first round and will view this tie as a strong opportunity of earning a place in the third round.
We say: Gillingham 1-0 Cheltenham Town
We say Gillingham will just edge this encounter between two similarly matched struggling sides. However, Gillingham's first win at the weekend will give them a much-needed boost, whilst it remains to be seen how Cheltenham pick themselves up from a late defeat on Saturday.
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QPR vs. Oxford Utd (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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The second round of the EFL Cup will commence this week and Queens Park Rangers will welcome Oxford United to Loftus Road on Tuesday as they aim to keep their undefeated start to the season going.
However, the Yellows will be wanting to get straight back to winning ways as well after a defeat against Bolton Wanderers during their last outing.
We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Oxford United
Queens Park Rangers are operating at a great level so far this season and they will prove to be very difficult to stop by Oxford United in this cup tie.
With an experienced squad that are firing on all cylinders, it is likely that Warburton's squad will find themselves in the hat for the next round.
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Stevenage vs. Wycombe (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Two high-flyers of their respective divisions meet in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening, as Stevenage welcome Wycombe Wanderers to Broadhall Way.
Stevenage sit fifth in League Two, whilst Wycombe sit second after four matches in the EFL league campaigns so far, but both of their attentions now turn to a potential cup run to continue their strong starts.
We say: Stevenage 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers
We say Wycombe should have too much for their hosts here, despite a likely spirited performance from Stevenage.
The quality they possess and their fantastic form to start the season should see them through into the third round of the EFL Cup.
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Northampton vs. AFC Wimbledon (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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After knocking out higher-tier opponents in the opening round earlier this month, Northampton Town welcome AFC Wimbledon to Sixfields on Tuesday, in the second round of the EFL Cup.
The Cobblers have already seen off Championship side Coventry City, so will anticipate another upset against League One opposition this time around.
We say: Northampton Town 0-1 AFC Wimbledon
Both teams are looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats at the weekend, but the away side are best placed to do so on Tuesday.
Wimbledon tend to score a little more freely than Northampton have done this term, so some youthful attacking options can make the difference at Sixfields and send the Dons wombling on into the third round.
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Watford vs. Crystal Palace (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Watford and Crystal Palace temporarily take a break from Premier League action to resume hostilities in the EFL Cup second round on Tuesday at Vicarage Road.
Xisco Munoz's side welcome the Eagles to their headquarters after being sunk 2-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend, while Palace's battle with Brentford ended goalless.
We say: Watford 1-1 Crystal Palace (Palace to win on penalties)
A cup run may not be all that high on either manager's priority lists, although Vieira may take the competition more seriously than his counterpart Munoz as the Hornets coach focuses on securing his side's Premier League status.
This one may go the distance with youngsters on both sides seeking to impress, but we can envisage Palace producing the goods from the penalty spot to advance to round three.
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Barrow vs. Aston Villa (Tuesday, 7.45pm)
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Aston Villa will kick off their EFL Cup campaign on Tuesday, when they travel north to take on Barrow in second-round action.
The Villans recorded their first win of the season last time out, while their hosts have had a mixed start to the league campaign but progressed to this stage with a win over Scunthorpe United in the first round.
We say: Barrow 0-3 Aston Villa
Aston Villa's squad players will be keen to impress on Tuesday to boost their chances of earning a starting spot going forward, and they should certainly come away from Barrow with a spot in the third round.
Smith could make up to 10 changes, but they still boast more than enough squad depth to cruise past the fourth-tier outfit.
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Nott'm Forest vs. Wolves (Tuesday, 8.00pm)
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Two teams seeking distractions from dismal starts to their respective league campaigns do battle in the EFL Cup on Tuesday as Nottingham Forest play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The hosts claimed a 2-1 win over Bradford City to advance to the second round, whereas Bruno Lage will take charge of his first cup encounter for the visitors.
We say: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
A full-strength Wolves should have no problem sweeping an out-of-sorts Forest aside, but Lage will be forced into practically a full team of alterations following Sunday's battle with Spurs.
The hosts have injury and morale issues of their own to contend with, though, and with Wolves likely to call upon the cavalry from the bench if needed, we still expect Lage's side to pull through.
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Barney Corkhill
