The Carabao Cup kicks off its first round with an exciting Welsh-English clash as League Two side Newport County hosts Championship team Millwall at Rodney Parade. For Newport, this match represents a golden opportunity to cause a major cup upset and ignite their season after a mixed start to their league campaign. Under the management of David Hughes, the Exiles will be looking to their home advantage and fighting spirit to overcome the higher-tier opposition. However, they will be wary of the potential for a classic cup shock. Millwall, under the management of Alex Neil, comes into the fixture with the same ambition. This is a chance for the Lions to build on their recent winning momentum and secure a comfortable passage into the next round, but they must avoid complacency against a determined Newport side.
Newport County has shown some promising signs in their early season form, including a win over Crawley Town and a draw against Notts County. They will be looking to key players like midfielder Kai Whitmore and new signing Ged Garner to make an impact. Millwall, on the other hand, comes into the fixture in a confident mood after a strong start to their Championship season. They secured a notable 2-1 away win against Norwich City on the opening day, with goals from Camiel Neghli and Macaulay Langstaff. This match promises to be an interesting tactical affair, with Newport likely to adopt a more defensive approach and Millwall expected to dominate possession and push for an early lead.
Match Details
Competition: Carabao Cup, First Round
Location: Newport, Wales
Stadium: Rodney Parade
Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Kick-off Time: 2:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM BST / 8:30 PM CEST
Referee: Scott Oldham
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
The history between these two teams is not extensive, with their most recent meeting being in the FA Cup in 2020. Millwall won that encounter 3-0, but this match is a different challenge with a new set of players and managers. Newport County has had a mixed start to their season, but they have shown flashes of quality. Millwall’s recent form is strong, with their win over Norwich a key indicator of their potential this season. While Millwall is the clear favorite, Newport’s home advantage and the unpredictable nature of cup football mean this is far from a foregone conclusion. Both teams will be viewing this match as a chance to secure a crucial win and build momentum for the season ahead.
Newport County:
Newport County enters this match with the pressure of a difficult start to the season. The team will be looking to its key players, including their new signings and in-form midfielders, to deliver a performance worthy of their home crowd. Manager David Hughes is expected to use a disciplined and organized formation, prioritizing defensive stability while looking for opportunities on the counter-attack. The team’s recent win should give them a boost of confidence, but they will need to be resilient and disciplined to have any chance of causing an upset against their higher-division opponents.
August 9, 2025: Crawley Town 1–2 Newport County (League Two)
August 2, 2025: Newport County 1–1 Notts County (League Two)
July 29, 2025: Barnet 2–2 Newport County (Carabao Cup)
Millwall:
Millwall will be looking to this match to build on their impressive start to the season. The team has made a number of new signings, including striker Josh Coburn, and they will be looking to make an impact in this match. Manager Alex Neil will likely field a strong and disciplined side, aiming to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game. The team’s attack, led by Macaulay Langstaff and new signing Josh Coburn, will be looking to exploit any defensive vulnerabilities from Newport. Millwall’s superior quality and experience should see them through this match, but they cannot afford to be complacent against their determined opponents.
August 9, 2025: Norwich City 1–2 Millwall (Championship)
August 2, 2025: Estoril 0–3 Millwall (Friendly)
July 29, 2025: Sutton United 1–3 Millwall (Friendly)
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
Millwall is expected to dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the game. They will rely on their creative midfielders and attacking forwards to create scoring opportunities. The key matchup will be between Millwall’s attack and Newport’s defense. For Newport, the strategy will be more pragmatic, with a focus on staying compact and frustrating their opponents. They will look to the pace of their wingers to launch quick counter-attacks. The match will be a test of Newport’s resilience against Millwall’s quality. While an upset is always possible in a cup tie, Millwall’s superior individual talent should ultimately be the deciding factor.
How to Watch Newport County vs. Millwall on TV, Live Stream
CountryTV/Live StreamUnited KingdomSky Sports Football, Sky Sports+United StatesESPN+CanadaDAZN CanadaAustraliabeIN Sports
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports+. In the United States, you can catch the action on ESPN+. In Canada, the game is available via DAZN Canada, while in Australia, beIN Sports will be broadcasting the match. For all other regions, broadcasting information can vary, so it’s best to check official EFL Cup or local sports broadcasting websites for the most up-to-date information on how to watch the match live.
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