After all the excitement of the Championship play-offs, in which both Cardiff and Swansea missed out 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals against Fulham and Brentford respectively, their 2020-21 campaigns got off to a frustrating start with defeats in the League Cup first round at the weekend.

The Bluebirds crashed to a 3-0 defeat against Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium, while the Swans fell victim to Welsh rivals Newport County, who won 2-0 at Rodney Parade.

A first-half brace from Tristan Abrahams proved sufficient to send the League Two-side on their way to the second round, where a home tie against Cambridge United awaits.

Cambridge also saw off Championship opposition, beating Birmingham City 1-0 at St Andrew’s.

The winner of the second round tie on Tuesday, 15 September, will face a home clash against either Oxford United or Watford. Northampton’s reward for their victory against Cardiff is a trip to face Bristol City at Ashton Gate in round two.

League Cup Second Round
Tuesday, 15 September: Newport County v Cambridge United (19.45)

League Cup Third Round Draw
Bradford City or Lincoln City v Liverpool
Bristol City or Northampton Town v Burton Albion or Aston Villa
Morecambe or Oldham Athletic v Newcastle United or Blackburn Rovers
Reading or Luton Town v Manchester United
Derby County or Preston North End v Brighton and Hove Albion or Portsmouth
Ipswich Town or Fulham v Rochdale or Sheffield Wednesday
Manchester City v Bournemouth or Crystal Palace
Millwall or Cheltenham Town v Burnley or Sheffield United
Chelsea v Middlesbrough or Barnsley
Wolves or Stoke v Gillingham or Coventry
Leicester v Arsenal
West Brom or Harrogate Town v Southampton or Brentford
Newport or Cambridge United v Oxford United or Watford
Fleetwood or Port Vale v Everton or Salford
Leyton Orient or Plymouth Argyle v Tottenham
West Ham or Charlton Athletic v Leeds or Hull City