Chelsea in Carabao Cup chaos after Premier League fixture switch with EIGHT games at risk

Chelsea will host Luton Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup, but there are some fixture scheduling puzzles to work out

A change to Chelsea’s opening Premier League fixture looks set to cause fixture chaos in the early season after the Carabao Cup draw was made. The Blues make the short journey across London to face Fulham in their top-flight opener on Monday, August 24.

The fixture has been changed from the usual Saturday 3pm kick-off to be shown live on TV. However, that has a knock-on effect on other fixtures. Due to not being involved in European football this season, Chelsea will take part in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

They have been drawn at home to League One club Luton Town, with the fixture taking place the week commencing August 24. Generally, matches take place on the Tuesday or Wednesday of that week, but Chelsea’s game against Fulham on the Monday means that the match is likely to be played on Thursday, August 27.

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With Chelsea’s match against Brighton the next weekend already scheduled for the Sunday, that should have no impact. There is, however, something else that could cause a fixture problem for organisers.

Fulham were also drawn at home in the second round of the cup, as they take on AFC Wimbledon. The game against Chelsea on Monday means that they would also have to play the game on Thursday night.

But, usually, policing issues mean that Chelsea and Fulham can’t play at home on the same day. It will either therefore require a change in those rules, or another way around the situation.

While, like Chelsea, Fulham aren’t back in action until the following Sunday, the same can’t be said for the two sides’ opponents. Both Luton and AFC Wimbledon are due to play League One fixtures against Mansfield Town (A) and Wigan Athletic (H) on the Saturday.

Clubs are usually allowed at least 72 hours of rest between fixtures, meaning those games are likely to be pushed back by around 24 hours. However, that will then have a knock-on impact on their midweek fixtures.

All four teams are due to play in the league on Tuesday, 1 September. Those games again will then have to be pushed back by 24 hours to the Wednesday night to allow the teams adequate rest between the two fixtures.

W/C 23 August

Chelsea vs Luton - Carabao Cup 2nd round

Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon - Carabao Cup 2nd round

Saturday 29 August

AFC Wimbledon vs Wigan Athletic - League One

Mansfield vs Luton - League One

Tuesday 1 September

Burton Albion vs AFC Wimbledon - League One

Wigan Athletic vs MK Dons - League One

Luton vs Stockport - League One

Reading vs Mansfield - League One