EFL reveals never-before-seen change to Carabao Cup format with teams required to QUALIFY for main draw
THE EFL have introduced a preliminary round for the Carabao Cup for the first time.
Nine Premier League teams competing in Europe mean the cup has to be restructured this season.
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A preliminary round will take place before the first round, consisting of four teams.
They include the two teams promoted from the National League last season, Barnet and Oldham, as well as Accrington Stanley and Newport County, who finished in the lowest two spots in the EFL.
The preliminary draw and the first round draw will be held on the same day - Thursday June 26.
The four League Two sides will face off in the preliminary round week commencing August 4 - a week before the rest of the competition kicks off.
A preliminary round will get rid of two teams from the tournament, thus reducing the number of teams in round one and two.
That will allow each Prem club that is competing in Europe to feature in round three.
Round three will also be split across two weeks, commencing September 15 and September 22 - just as it did last season.
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