Carabao Cup 2024-25: Middlesbrough Drawn Away to Leeds United in First Round
Carabao Cup semi-finalists Middlesbrough will kick off their 2024-25 campaign with an away fixture against Championship rivals Leeds United in the first round of the competition. Boro’s run in last season’s tournament came to an end when they were defeated 6-2 on aggregate by Chelsea in the semi-finals. Despite taking a 1-0 lead in the first leg, they were unable to secure a spot in the Wembley final.
Derby County, who will be competing in the Championship next season, have been drawn at home against East Midlands rivals Chesterfield. This will be Chesterfield’s first appearance in the Carabao Cup in six years, as they earned promotion back to the English Football League.
Sheffield United will face Wrexham in a repeat of their dramatic FA Cup fourth-round tie from 2023. The Blades were relegated from the Premier League and will now have a chance to redeem themselves against Wrexham in the Carabao Cup.
Newcomers Bromley, who earned promotion to the EFL in May, will have the opportunity to make their mark in the competition as they welcome fellow League Two side AFC Wimbledon. This will be Bromley’s debut in the Carabao Cup, and they will be eager to make a strong first impression.
The first round of matches is scheduled to take place during the week commencing 12 August, with the final set to be held at Wembley on Sunday, 16 March 2025. The EFL has confirmed that this year’s semi-finals will continue to be played across two legs, despite the potential for fixture clashes with European competitions.
As part of the new EFL television deal for next season, all 93 Carabao Cup games will be broadcast on Sky Sports. This is great news for fans who will now have greater access to the tournament and can enjoy the matches from the comfort of their homes.
The draw also revealed several intriguing matchups between Championship and League Two teams. Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle will host Cheltenham Town, while West Bromwich Albion will travel to face Fleetwood Town. These matches will provide an opportunity for the lower league teams to compete against higher-ranked opponents and potentially cause upsets.
The Carabao Cup first round is divided into northern and southern sections, with 38 teams in the northern half and 32 teams in the southern half. This regionalization adds a unique element to the competition, allowing teams to face opponents from their own region, creating local rivalries and exciting matchups.
Overall, the Carabao Cup first-round draw presents an exciting array of fixtures, offering fans the chance to witness thrilling encounters between teams from different leagues. With the inclusion of lower league teams and the potential for upsets, this tournament promises to be full of surprises and captivating moments. Football enthusiasts can look forward to a season filled with intense competition and memorable matches in the Carabao Cup.