Newcastle United will learn their first opponents tonight as Magpies launch Carabao Cup defence
Newcastle United will have to defend their Carabao Cup title this season, and thanks to qualifying for Europe, that task is made ever so slightly easier.
As a team competing in Europe, the Magpies got an automatic bye into the round three draw, and the generosity doesn't end there for the cup holders.
In a new move introduced last season, the third round draw will be split once again, with European sides kept separate.
That means Newcastle will avoid any side competing in European competition this season, giving a potentially easier draw for the third round.
Newcastle will learn their Carabao Cup third round fate tonight
The Magpies will also avoid a Tyne-Wear derby in tonight's draw, but that's not because of any obscure rules; it's simply because Sunderland were knocked out of the competition at the first try by Huddersfield Town last night.
The pre-draw will take place ahead of the 7:45pm kick-offs tonight. This part of the draw will determine whether the European clubs play home or away.
Then, after tonight's fixtures are complete, the main draw will take place on Sky Sports and Sky Sports News after the Grimsby Town v Manchester United game.
Newcastle did things the hard way last season
It's a bizarre way of doing things these days, but given that we potentially get handed an easier draw, we aren't going to complain.
That being said, it's not as if we had an easy route last season on the way to lifting the cup, having beaten Liverpool, Chelsea, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Arsenal.
Still, a nice, easy route to a title defence would be awfully nice.
