Carabao Cup round two tips: Cardiff, Preston & Brighton angles

Round two of the Carabao Cup introduces the 11 Premier League teams not involved in European tournaments to the fray, with a place in the competition’s last 32 up for grabs.

One of the early arrivals from the top flight are included in our best bets for the games played out across Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, alongside surprise strong starters from the Championship and the early League One table toppers.

On-song Bluebirds can add value with clean sheet

Cardiff City have made a strong start in their bid to return to the Championship at the first time of asking, winning four of their first five League One games this season and drawing the other.

Brian Barry-Murphy’s men are just 9/20 to eliminate League Two strugglers Cheltenham Town, but well worth backing to win to nil in South Wales.

The Bluebirds have shipped just twice in six across all competitions in 2025/26 and come into this round two clash on a run of three successive clean sheets. 

Cheltenham have failed to net in four of their six games so far this term so scoring struggles against a well-drilled home defence seem inevitable.

Back North End to continue positive start against Wrexham

Tipped for doom by many pre-season, Preston have confounded expectations by winning two of their first three Championship outings and drawing the other. 

The quality of the Deepdale club’s scalps makes them appealing 11/10 shots to beat fellow second-tier side Wrexham, with two of last season’s relegated Premier League sides – Leicester and Southampton – already accounted for. 

Wrexham have found goals a lot harder to stymie since their promotion from League One, conceding at least twice in all four games they’ve played so far this season.

Against hosts in form, that offers plenty of encouragement they’ll come off on the wrong side of this round two tie.

Seagulls can take out Everton frustrations on Oxford

Brighton conspired to miss numerous guilt-edged opportunities, including a penalty in their 2-0 away loss to Everton at the weekend and ought to find chances even easier to come by against Championship Oxford.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side are 9/20 to beat the U’s at the Kassam Stadium but should be capable of overcoming a (-1) handicap at more appetising odds of 23/20 given their hosts’ poor form.

Oxford have lost their first three league games of the season and failed to score in two of those defeats – always a bonus when you’re opposing a team on the handicap.

A reaction to the profligacy Brighton showed against the Toffees seems inevitable and Gary Rowett’s men, who shipped three away to Hull two games back, may well bear the brunt.