2025-26 Carabao Cup: First Round – Huddersfield vs Leicester

Huddersfield face a tricky first-round tie against Leicester in 2025-26 Carabao Cup.

Victory would see Huddersfield reach the second round in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2017-18 & 18-19 season, when they were in the Premier League on those two occasions and bypassed this stage.

Leicester look to avoid suffering their first opening-round exit in this competition since 1979-80 season.

 

Team News 

Huddersfield have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-0 League One victory at Reading last weekend, with only Marcus Harness considered a doubt due to an unspecified minor injury.

Leicester have no fresh injury concerns to report after their comeback 2-1 Championship win at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

Ricardo Pereira (muscle), Victor Kristiansen (knock), Bobby De Cordova Reid (unspecified) and Harry Souttar (Achilles) are ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Huddersfield host Leicester at Accu Stadium on Wednesday 13 August at 7:45pm BST, live on Sky Sports + in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Huddersfield’s first League Cup tie against Leicester.
• Leicester drew 1-1 in their only previous away tie against Huddersfield in all cup competitions, which came in January 2013 in the fourth round of 2012-13 FA Cup.
• Huddersfield have scored five goals without conceding in their two opening games of the season in all competitions,
• Leicester have won each of their last 13 ties against lower-league opposition in this competition (W13), since a 5-4 penalty shootout loss at Hull in October 2015.

 

Prediction

Having enjoyed a winning start to life under Lee Grant with no goals conceded, Huddersfield now face their biggest test yet because they will need to be solid but clinical if want to match the Foxes’ quality, although promotion is probably their biggest priority this season.

Leicester meanwhile struggled to convert possession into proper attacking opportunities against the Owls until fitness proved the difference, so I would like to see them show more composure in their end product because they do have the quality to mount a cup run if can improve.

Nevertheless this tie does feel like it will be close on current form but I do think that Leicester’s quality might just be the difference.

Prediction: Huddersfield 1-2 Leicester

Result: Huddersfield 2-2 Leicester (Huddersfield win 3-2 on penalties)