The draw for the first round of the 2021/22 Carabao Cup first round was made this afternoon. EFL teams, who will make up the entirety of the first round, with Premier League sides not joining until either round two or round three, found out their league fixtures this afternoon too.
A total of 35 ties have been drawn into Northern and Southern sections to limit travelling times for teams in the early rounds of the competition.
Of the relegated Premier League sides, only Sheffield United will contest from the first round. Fulham and West Bromwich Albion will join in round two along with the top-flight sides not playing in European competition.
Carabao Cup Draw
Key Matches
In the Northern section, the obvious point would be Derby County’s tie against Salford City, given their manager, Wayne Rooney, will be friendly with the ownership group at the League Two side.
As well, Carlisle United will be happy with their big trip to Bramall Lane, facing a side who have competed in the Premier League in the last two seasons.
Meanwhile, in the Southern section, Sutton United will see their first-ever League Cup match come at one of the biggest sides in this round in Cardiff City.
In addition, Bournemouth will host MK Dons in this competition for the second time in four seasons, Luton Town make the short trip to Stevenage and a there’s cross-London match-up between Leyton Orient and Queens Park Rangers.
Draw in Full
Northern Section
Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield Town
Derby County v Salford City
Hartlepool United v Crewe Alexandra
Shrewsbury Town v Lincoln City
Mansfield Town v Preston North End
Port Vale v Sunderland
Sheffield United v Carlisle United
Blackpool v Middlesbrough
Harrogate Town v Rochdale
Stoke City v Fleetwood Town
Walsall v Doncaster Rovers
Oldham Athletic v Tranmere Rovers
Rotherham United v Accrington Stanley
Barrow v Scunthorpe United
Hull City v Wigan Athletic
Bolton Wanderers v Barnsley
Nottingham Forest v Bradford City
Blackburn Rovers v Morecambe
Southern Section
Cambridge United v Swindon Town
Exeter City v Wycombe Wanderers
Crawley Town v Gillingham
Burton Albion v Oxford United
Coventry City v Northampton Town
Ipswich Town v Newport County
Forest Green Rovers v Bristol City
Reading v Swansea City
Cardiff City v Sutton United
Bournemouth v MK Dons
Bristol Rovers v Cheltenham Town
Peterborough United v Plymouth Argyle
Leyton Orient v Queens Park Rangers
Stevenage v Luton Town
Millwall v Portsmouth
Birmingham City v Colchester United
Charlton Athletic v AFC Wimbledon
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