The long road to Wembley begins this weekend as four Carabao Cup games kick off the 2020/21 competition, which will be followed up by the rest of the Round One action in the coming weeks.
Derby County v Barrow
As a club coming up from the National League you're always hoping for a glamour tie to kick off life in the EFL. Alongside Harrogate Town, Barrow make the step up to Sky Bet League Two this season after claiming the National League title, and what better way to start life back in the EFL than with a trip to Pride Park to potentially face England’s all-time leading goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, who captains Derby County.
There will no doubt be a tinge of disappointment for Bluebirds supporters that they will be unable to join their team at Pride Park on Saturday 5 September, but all is not lost, as they'll be able to watch their side in action live on Sky Sports.
New manager David Dunn will be keen to ensure that his players keep their feet on the ground and don't get caught up in the euphoria of playing a Championship club that boast the likes of Wayne Rooney within their ranks.
On the flip side, Phillip Cocu will be reminding his players of their responsibilities - making sure that they do not lose out to lower league opposition.
Sunderland AFC vs Hull City
After relegation from the Sky Bet Championship last season, Hull City and Grant McCann must get off to the best possible start this campaign as they look to put that heartache behind them.
The draw for Round One has not been kind to them however, as they go up against fellow Sky Bet League One promotion rivals Sunderland AFC at the Stadium of Light. The two sides haven’t met in Cup action since 1961, a game Sunderland were victorious in at Roker Park.
The Black Cats finished just a point outside of the Play-Off places last season and will be keen to get off to a winning start in Cup action which they could carry with them into league form.
Hull City made Round Two last season before losing out to Preston North End at Deepdale, meanwhile Sunderland saw off two Premier League clubs in Burnley and Sheffield United before losing out to fellow League One outfit Oxford United on penalties in Round Four.
Newport County vs Swansea City
It's an all Welsh affair in Round One of the Carabao Cup this season as Sky Bet League Two side Newport County welcome Championship side Swansea City to Rodney Parade.
Last season was one to remember for the visitors as they made the Semi-Finals of the Play-Offs in an unlikely final day twist, which saw Nottingham Forest surrender their position in the top six, following a six-goal swing in a dramatic evening of football.
Promotion wasn’t to be though as they lost out to eventual runners up Brentford over two legs.
The Exiles on the other hand finished just in the bottom half of the table in a pretty solid season, but there will be no doubt that manager Michael Flynn would have wanted more from his team, especially after reaching the League Two Play-Off Final the season before.
Brentford vs Wycombe
Round One of this season’s Carabao Cup throws up an interesting tie as it pits together last season’s beaten Play-Off Finalists, Brentford, against League One Play-Off winners, Wycombe Wanderers at the brand new Brentford Community Stadium, the first competitive fixture to be held at Brentford’s new home.
There is a big season ahead for both sides who will more than likely be setting two different goals. With the bitterly disappointing end to the regular season for the Bees, they will undoubtably be looking to be amongst the teams fighting it out for promotion once again.
The Chairboys on the other hand will be looking to consolidate their position amongst the teams in the Championship, as they embark on their first-ever campaign in the second tier of English football.
Getting off to a good start in this competition could set the tone for the opening weeks of the season.
