Today (17/06/14) we have a slight distraction from events over in Brazil and a warm up for the Football League fixtures being released on Wednesday 18th June… the League Cup Round One Draw. The draw was divided into North and South sections with seeded and non-seeded teams. The seeded teams include all the Championship teams from last season, those promoted to the Championship, Relegated Cardiff City and those with higher placed finishes in League One last season (Norwich and Fulham will enter in Round Two). Below are all of the Southern Section fixtures highlighting some of the mouth-watering games that Round One draw has thrown up this season.
Round One Highlights
Milton Keynes Dons v AFC Wimbledon
The pick of the bunch. MK Dons will host AFC Wimbledon, who were set up by ex-Wimbledon FC fans in the wake of the club’s move to Milton Keynes. It is only the second time the two rivals will have met since AFC Wimbledon were formed in 2002. Definitely a fixture for the fans. A close and fiery game is expected.
Coventry City v Cardiff City
The Sky Blues are set to face Cardiff City who were recently relegated back to The Championship. Unfortunately for both teams the fixture will be played at Sixfields the home of Northampton. Cardiff will be looking to a strong start for the season, Coventry will have different ideas.
Luton Town v Swindon Town
The Hatters, who won the League Cup in 1987/88, will welcome Swindon Town to Kenilworth Road in Round 1. It will be the Luton’s first match in the competition since 2008. A strong test for Luton with Swindon being in the division above, I expect Luton to put up a good fight.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Northampton Town
League One champions Wolves host Northampton Town, who avoided relegation from the Football League on the last day of the season. It will be the third time in four years that Wolves have met the Cobblers in the competition. A Midlands Derby will attract many Northampton fans to travel to Molineux.
Birmingham City v Cambridge Untied
Cambridge United will be making the trip to two-time League Cup winners Birmingham City. The Blues against the U’s is just one of 14 Round 1 ties that will have Championship opposition against a side from League 2. A fixture that will leave Cambridge fans excited even more so on their return to the Football League.
Millwall v Wycombe Wanderers
A fixture that can be classed as a London Derby. Wycombe who survived the drop to the conference by the skin of their teeth will travel to South London in this first round tie. With both teams not being too far away from one another this fixture will catch the eye of both Millwall and Wycombe fans.
Stevenage v Watford
The closest in terms of distance between two teams in the draw, a 24.5 mile trip up the road for Watford as the Hornets travel to local neighbours League 2 Stevenage. A large home and away crowd will be expected for this one, although Watford may just prove too strong for Stevenage
The Rest of the Southern Section Round One Fixtures
Reading v Newport County
Brighton & Hove Albion v Cheltenham Town
Crawley Town v Ipswich Town
Yeovil Town v Gillingham
Charlton Athletic v Colchester United
Exeter City v AFC Bournemouth
Plymouth Argyle v Leyton Orient
Dagenham & Redbridge v Brentford
Portsmouth v Peterborough United
Southend United v Walsall
Bristol City v Oxford United
Ties to be played week commencing 11th August 2014