Preview: Capital One Cup

Cup fever returns this week as the second round of the Capital One Cup gets underway.

Premier League teams whom have not qualified for Europe enter the fray, alongside the remaining 36 victors from the first round.

Nine championship sides have already been eliminated from the competition and with the carrot of a Wembley final still dangling, there could be plenty of potential giant killings in the offering.

Everton fans will be hoping for a good cup run and start their campaign with an away tie to central defender John Stones’ former club Barnsley.

The other featured game sees League Two outfit Luton Town take on Premier League side Stoke City. The Hatters will be filled with confidence following a 3-1 disposal of Bristol City in the last round. Stoke have failed to record a win as yet but are unbeaten in their two away matches.

Elsewhere, there are tricky away ties for early top flight high-fliers Leicester at Bury, Watford go to Preston, Norwich visit Rotherham and Bournemouth make the long trip to Ronnie Moore’s Hartlepool.

Tim Sherwood will be hoping to replicate last season’s FA Cup run to the final when Aston Villa take on Notts County, who overcame Championship side Huddersfield in the previous round.

Steve McClaren starts his bid to end Newcastle’s 60-year trophy drought with a home tie versus Northampton, whilst Shrewsbury will be hoping to reach the third round for a second year in a row when they visit Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, 2014 finalists Sunderland welcome Exeter, Swansea host York, and West Brom, who are expected to once again leave out wantaway striker Saido Berahino, face League one side Port Vale.

Other League Two teams handed ties against higher ranked opposition include Portsmouth, who face Championship side Reading – promoting memories of the 7-4 Premier League classic produced a Fratton Park back in 2007.

Fellow League Two outfits Carlisle and Barnet travel to Championship sides Queens Park Rangers and Wolves respectively.

Tuesday:
Aston Villa vs Notts County
Birmingham City vs Gillingham
Burton Albion vs Middlesborough
Bury vs Leicester
Crystal Palace vs Shrewsbury Town
Doncaster Rovers vs Ipswich Town
Fulham vs Sheffield United
Hartlepool United vs Bournemouth
Hull City vs Rochdale
Luton Town vs Stoke City
Mk Dons vs Cardiff City
Newcastle United vs Northampton Town
Peterborough United vs Charlton Athletic
Portsmouth vs Reading
Preston North End vs Watford
QPR vs Carlisle United
Rotherham vs Norwich City
Sheffield Wednesday vs Oxford United
Sunderland vs Exeter City
Swansea City vs York City
Walsall vs Brighton and Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Barnet
West Brom vs Port Vale

Wednesday:
Barnsley vs Everton