The Premier League’s opening match round does not start until Friday 21 August. The EFL has put the Carabao Cup in front of it, with four Round One ties selected for Sky Sports Football from Friday 7 August to Monday 10 August.
That is a useful order of things. The cup does not need the Premier League’s permission to matter, and the first televised run crosses the country rather than staying in one postcode. Middlesbrough against Wrexham opens it on Friday at 20:00, live on Sky Sports Football and ITV.
Colchester United host Southampton on Saturday at 17:30. Mansfield Town meet Sheffield United on Sunday at 16:00. Plymouth Argyle against Exeter City closes the selected run on Monday at 20:00, a fixture the EFL identifies as the Devon derby.
The full Sky Sports Football schedule is:
| Fixture | Date | Kick-off |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesbrough v Wrexham | Friday 7 August | 20:00, Sky Sports Football and ITV |
| Colchester United v Southampton | Saturday 8 August | 17:30, Sky Sports Football |
| Mansfield Town v Sheffield United | Sunday 9 August | 16:00, Sky Sports Football |
| Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City | Monday 10 August | 20:00, Sky Sports Football |
The EFL says all remaining Round One ties will be available on Sky Sports+, with fixture dates and kick-off times still to follow. The Premier League begins later in the month. The cup, as it should, does not wait.
