Sunderland opt out of League Cup in fear of drawing Newcastle United again

3 months ago 26

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Sunderland achieved their objective on Tuesday night.

The Mackems making sure there was no chance of having to face Newcastle United this month.

The fear was very real after the humiliation Sunderland suffered at home to Newcastle seven months ago in the FA Cup, a match where the Mackems struggled to get out of their own half, never mind threaten the NUFC goal, as Eddie Howe’s side strolled to a very easy 3-0 away victory.

Tuesday night seeing a very tame 2-0 away defeat to Preston, Sunderland exiting in the first round of the League Cup before Newcastle United even enter the competition.

To be fair, this isn’t exactly a new thing, as this makes it four times in six years that the Wearsiders have exited in the first round of the League Cup, before NUFC enter the draw. The same in the FA Cup, four of the last six seasons seeing the Mackems out of the competition before Newcastle entered at the third round stage.

The draw for this season’s second round of the Carabao/League Cup is tonight, it will take place after 10pm tonight, following the Leeds v Middlesbrough match. There are two other games played tonight as the first round concludes, with Hull v Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth v Cheltenham.

There will be 50 teams in the draw tonight but with the competition at this stage seeing the clubs split into north and south, there would have been an enhanced chance of Sunderland drawing Newcastle United, if they hadn’t opted out.

Preston and the 34 other first round winners will be joined in tonight’s draw by Newcastle United and the other 12 Premier League clubs who aren’t in European competition this season, plus Luton and Burnley.

The second round ties will be played the week commencing Monday 26 August.

Newcastle United schedule to end of October 2024:

Wednesday 14 August 2024 – The Carabao Cup second round draw will be made around 10pm.

Saturday 17 August 2024 – Newcastle v Southampton (3pm)

Sunday 25 August 2024 – Bournemouth v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Week commencing Monday 26 August 2024 – Carabao Cup round two matches will be played

Friday 30 August 2024 – Summer transfer window closes at 11pm.

Sunday 1 September 2024 – Newcastle v Tottenham (1.30pm) Sky Sports

(The first international break of the season)

Sunday 15 September 2024 – Wolves v Newcastle (4.30 pm) Sky Sports

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)

Saturday 21 September 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3 pm)