Everton begin their Carabao Cup campaign on Wednesday when David Moyes returns to his former club Preston North End in the second round.
The Blues travel to Deepdale after starting their Premier League season with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Preston have lost their opening two Championship matches, against Bolton Wanderers and Wolves, but reached this stage of the Carabao Cup by beating Huddersfield Town 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Preston vs Everton match details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Carabao Cup second round |
| Fixture | Preston North End vs Everton |
| Date | Wednesday, 26 August 2026 |
| Kick-off | 8pm BST |
| Venue | Deepdale |
| TV/streaming | Live on Sky Sports |
Every Carabao Cup second-round fixture is being shown live by Sky Sports this season.
Everton team news
Moyes has decisions to make over how much he changes the side that beat Palace.
Christian Nørgaard and Tim Iroegbunam are set to miss the game through injury.
James Garner returned from hernia surgery to make a late appearance against Palace, although Moyes indicated before that game that the midfielder was still some way from being fully ready.
That could influence his thinking in midfield, particularly with Everton back in Premier League action at the weekend.
The cup tie also provides an opportunity to give minutes to players who did not start against Palace.
Beto and Carlos Alcaraz came off the bench on Saturday, while Tyler Dibling and Harrison Armstrong are among the other options available to Moyes.
Jake O’Brien could also come into the side if Moyes decides to make changes in defence.
Possible Everton XI
| Position | Player |
| GK | Mark Travers |
| RB | Nathan Patterson |
| CB | Jake O’Brien |
| CB | Michael Keane |
| LB | Vitaliy Mykolenko |
| CM | Hayden Hackney |
| CM | Harrison Armstrong |
| RW | Tyler Dibling |
| AM | Carlos Alcaraz |
| LW | Brennan Johnson |
| ST | Beto |
Moyes has made clear that he wants Everton to progress in the cup competitions, although changes would be understandable at this early stage of the season.
The trip also carries some personal significance for the Everton manager.
Moyes ended his playing career at Preston before taking his first managerial job at Deepdale in 1998. He led North End to promotion and later the First Division play-off final before leaving for Everton in March 2002.
Wednesday will be Everton’s first competitive visit to Deepdale since 1961 and the first meeting between the clubs since a League Cup tie at Goodison Park in 2004.
For Moyes, however, the immediate task is straightforward: get Everton into the third round.
