English League Cup: 5 Matches to Watch This Week

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The second round of the English League Cup, otherwise known now as the Capital One Cup, gets underway this week.

What is significant about these set of matches is that it will be the first time Premier League clubs will enter the competition.

The only EPL clubs that will not be partaking in this round of the competition are the clubs that are entered in European competitions, those clubs do not enter the Capital One Cup until the third round.

As for the EPL clubs involved in the second round, there are some clubs that are vulnerable to be upset and some that should steamroll their opposition.

Here are five matches that fans of the EPL should keep an eye on during the second round on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Aston Villa vs. Tranmere Rovers

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Aston Villa and Tranmere Rovers have had two completely different starts to the 2012-13 seasons.

Villa have yet to win a match and sit at the bottom of the Premier League table after two matches under new manager Paul Lambert.

Tranmere sit in second place in League One after three matches with seven points.

It would be a huge win for Tranmere if they are able to go to Villa Park on Tuesday and win, which is quite possible given Villa's recent form.

For Villa, a cup win would be a step in the right direction and it would boost morale at the club heading into their EPL match at Newcastle on Sunday.

Sheffield Wednesday vs. Fulham

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It has been quite some time since Sheffield Wednesday were close to the spotlight of the Premier League, as they are an early favorite to earn promotion to the top flight.

After being promoted from League One last season, Wednesday are off to a hot start in second place in the Championship with seven points after three matches.

The Owls have also proven that they are able to score a good amount of goals, with seven so far in their opening matches.

Fulham will be the away side at the Hillsborough Stadium on Tuesday and they pack quite the attacking punch as well.

The Cottagers have started the season without last year's top scorer, Clint Dempsey, by racking up seven goals in two matches.

This match could end up being a high scoring form if both clubs' recent form continues.

Sunderland vs. Morecambe

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On paper this may look like an easy win for Sunderland, but if you do some research it turns into a closer match.

The League Two side pulled off the upset of the first round as they beat Championship leaders Blackpool on the road, 2-1.

Now, the Shrimps will head into the Stadium of Light on Tuesday with confidence from their first-round victory.

Sunderland are a well rested side going into this match as they have only played one match so far this season.

The Black Cats have had 10 days off after their opening draw with Arsenal because of a waterlogged home pitch on Saturday that caused a postponement of their match with Reading.

The match will also mark the potential debut of new signing Adam Johnson, who joined Sunderland from Manchester City last week.

Yeovil Town vs. West Brom

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On Tuesday at Huish Park, the hottest club in League One will take on one of the hottest clubs in the Premier League as Yeovil Town hosts West Brom.

Yeovil are the top of the League One table with seven points after two impressive wins in which they scored seven goals.

West Brom were able to upset Liverpool on the opening day of the EPL season and then earned a gritty away draw with Tottenham over the weekend.

Both clubs also feature managers in their first full season as Steve Clarke is in charge of the Baggies, while Gary Johnson is turning things around at Yeovil in his first full season after joining the club in January.