Domestic cup competitions hold great prestige in English soccer, with the EFL Cup and FA Cup both offering teams the opportunity to win silverware.
It is also the only occasion during the season when teams from different divisions can clash, meaning the Goliaths of the Premier League could face Davids of the Football League.
But what is the EFL Cup, and how is it different from the FA Cup?
EFL Cup vs. FA Cup: What’s the Difference?
The EFL Cup and the FA Cup are the only domestic competitions in England open to teams in the top two divisions. However, there are several differences between the tournaments.
The most notable difference is that the EFL Cup is only open to clubs in the Football League. Meanwhile, the FA Cup is open to teams in all five top divisions and non-league clubs.
The timing of the EFL Cup is also different. The opening rounds take place in August, and the final is staged in late February. For England’s biggest clubs, the FA Cup doesn’t get underway until January, and the final is the final domestic fixture of the season.
Another key difference between the competitions is replays. In the FA Cup, teams will clash in a rematch in the first five rounds proper if the scores are tied. The only two-legged ties in the EFL Cup come in the semi-final stage. Contrastingly, the FA Cup has a one-legged semi-final at Wembley.
EFL Cup Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Man City | -250 |
| Arsenal | +500 |
| Chelsea | +800 |
| Liverpool | +800 |
| Newcastle | +1000 |
| Man United | +1000 |
| Aston Villa | +1000 |
| Tottenham | +1200 |
| Brighton | +1600 |
| Crystal Palace | +2000 |
| Brentford | +2000 |
| Leicester | +2800 |
| Southampton | +3300 |
| Stoke | +5000 |
| Preston | +8000 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | +8000 |
| AFC Wimbledon | +75000 |
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Stats and Schedule
The EFL Cup involves 92 clubs every season, with teams from League One and League Two entering in the first round. Championship and Premier League teams with no European commitments join the fray in the second round.
England’s biggest clubs enter the competition in the third round, with teams involved in the Champions League, Europa League, and UEFA Conference League all giving byes.
Each round, apart from the semi-finals, consists of single-leg ties. The final four will clash in two-legged semi-finals, with each team having home advantage. The winning team in the EFL Cup also secures a place in the Conference League for the following season.
Where to Watch
U.S. fans will be able to watch all matches in the EFL Cup on the CBS Sports Network.
The broadcaster renewed their deal with the EFL in July 2024, meaning that they will be showing action from the domestic cup competition, as well as England’s Championship, League One, and League Two, until the end of the 2027-28.
How to Stream in USA
In addition to being able to watch live matches on CBS in the USA, fans can also find exclusive matches in the competition on Paramount Plus.
Viewers can watch the action in the competition for $8 per month. Alternatively, an annual subscription can be purchased for $60.
Previous Winners
| Season | Winning Team | Score | Losing Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Liverpool | 1-0 (AET) | Chelsea |
| 2022-23 | Man United | 2-0 | Newcastle |
| 2021-22 | Liverpool | 0-0 (Liv on Pens) | Chelsea |
| 2020-21 | Man City | 1-0 | Tottenham |
| 2019-20 | Man City | 2-1 | Aston Villa |
| 2018-19 | Man City | 0-0 (City on Pens) | Chelsea |
| 2017-18 | Man City | 3-0 | Arsenal |
| 2016-17 | Man United | 3-2 | Southampton |
| 2015-16 | Man City | 1-1 (City on Pens) | Liverpool |
| 2014-15 | Chelsea | 2-0 | Tottenham |
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