Birmingham City will host Sheffield United in the standout tie of the first round of the Carabao Cup.

For the opening round, all clubs from the Championship, League One and League two were all involved.

And it's the ties between the Blues and the Blades which really captures the imagination.



Birmingham romped to the League One title and have serious hopes of doing the same in the second tier, Sheffield United meanwhile suffered play-off heartbreak in their attempt to return to the Premier League.

Carabao Cup draw LIVE: Birmingham City, Wrexham and more learn first-round fate	Managing Wrexham - Liverpool ace and ex-Premier League star join as second 'legend' leaves	Wrexham eye swoop for Liverpool youngster

Newcastle ended their long trophy drought by lifting the EFL Cup in February after beating Liverpool at Wembley.

Now clubs up and down the country will be dreaming of similar glory in what will be the first chance of silverware in the 2025/26 season.

In a competition first, only 70 clubs from tiers two to four will enter, with two preliminary matches taking place before the first round proper kicks off.

That's due to the increased number of Premier League clubs participating in European competition - and therefore receiving a bye into the third round.

The latter pair were the lowest placed sides not to be releagted from League Two.

But it will include the likes of Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester - all relegated from the Premier League last season - and Birmingham City, Wrexham and Charlton who won promotion from League One into the second tier.

16:13Ben HusbandNewcastle are the holders

The Magpies are one of the Premier League clubs that won't enter the competition until the third round.

That follows this morning's release of the fixture list across the Championship, League One and League Two.

15:58Ben HusbandGood afternoon

Welcome to Mirror Football's coverage of the Carabao Cup first round draw.
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