The Carabao Cup begins its first round with a classic knockout encounter as Championship side Swansea City hosts League Two outfit Crawley Town at the Swansea.com Stadium. For Swansea City, this match represents a chance to rebound from a disappointing start to their league campaign and build some much-needed momentum. Under the management of Alan Sheehan, the Swans will be looking to their superior squad depth and home advantage to progress to the next round. However, they will be wary of the potential for a cup upset. Crawley Town, under manager Scott Lindsey, comes into the fixture with the same ambition. This match is a marquee event for the League Two side, offering a chance to test their mettle against higher-tier opposition and potentially produce a famous giant-killing performance.
Swansea City has been active in the summer transfer window, bringing in several new faces to bolster their squad. They will be relying on their key players, such as Žan Vipotnik and Jisung Eom, to find their form in front of goal. Crawley Town, while having a tough start to their league season, will be looking to capitalize on any complacency from the home side. The team has made a number of signings, including midfielder Kyle Scott, and will be looking for a breakthrough performance. The match promises to be an interesting tactical affair, with Swansea City expected to dominate possession and Crawley Town likely to adopt a more defensive approach, looking to hit their opponents on the counter-attack.
Match Details
Competition: Carabao Cup, First Round
Location: Swansea, Wales
Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium
Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Kick-off Time: 2:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM BST / 8:00 PM CEST
Referee: Ben Speedie
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
There is limited competitive history between these two sides. They have met twice before, with both matches ending in victories for Swansea City. The last meeting was in the 2012-13 Carabao Cup, where Swansea secured a 3-2 victory. Swansea’s recent form has been inconsistent, with a mixed bag of results in their pre-season friendlies and an opening-day defeat in the Championship. Crawley Town, on the other hand, has had a difficult start to their League Two season, losing both of their opening matches. However, the Carabao Cup is a different competition entirely, and both teams will be viewing this match as a fresh start.
Swansea City:
Swansea City enters this match with the pressure of a difficult start to the season. The team will be looking to its key players, including new signings like Cameron Burgess and Ricardo Santos in defense and Melker Widell in midfield, to stabilize the team and deliver a performance worthy of their league status. Manager Alan Sheehan is expected to use this match to give minutes to some of his new signings and to test new tactical setups. The team will be looking to its home crowd for support as they aim to progress to the second round of the cup.
August 9, 2025: Middlesbrough 1–0 Swansea City (Championship)
July 26, 2025: Exeter City 1–0 Swansea City (Friendly)
July 19, 2025: Swansea City 3–2 Stevenage (Friendly)
Crawley Town:
Crawley Town is facing a tough challenge against a higher-division opponent. Despite their difficult start to the league season, the team will be motivated by the prospect of a cup upset. Manager Scott Lindsey has a number of new signings at his disposal, including Kyle Scott and Danny Cashman, who will be looking to make an impact. Crawley will likely adopt a defensive and disciplined approach, aiming to frustrate Swansea and capitalize on set pieces or counter-attacking opportunities. The team’s resolve and fighting spirit will be their biggest assets in this match.
August 9, 2025: Crawley Town 1–2 Newport County (League Two)
August 2, 2025: Grimsby Town 3–0 Crawley Town (League Two)
July 25, 2025: Crawley Town 0–3 Crystal Palace (Friendly)
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
Swansea City is expected to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game. They will rely on their midfielders, such as Melker Widell and Jay Fulton, to create scoring opportunities for their forwards. Their star player, Žan Vipotnik, will be the main attacking threat. Crawley Town, on the other hand, will likely play with a compact defensive line, absorbing pressure and attempting to launch quick counter-attacks. The pace of Dion Pereira on the wing could be a key factor for Crawley. The battle in the midfield will be crucial, and if Crawley can disrupt Swansea’s rhythm, they could have a chance to pull off a surprise victory.
How to Watch Swansea City vs. Crawley Town 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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