EFL Trophy draw 2024/25: Time, predictions & teams to look out for
- 2024/25 EFL Trophy group stages have drawn to a close
- Only one Premier League U21 team has progressed into the round of 32
- Holders Peterborough aiming to retain their crown
While the elitists are getting caught up in league phase nonsense and fretting over star players getting tired legs in the Carabao Cup, clubs that make up the EFL's heart and soul are fighting for the right to enjoy a day out at Wembley.
The EFL Trophy has taken on many forms since its inaugural edition in 1981/82, and the competition's latest sponsor means you'll probably hear incessant chants of "Bristol Street Motors Trophy champions, you'll never sing that!" on any given matchday outside Peterborough's London Road.
The League One outfit are the current holders of the trophy after they downed Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 in the 2024 final under the iconic arch.
The 2024/25 EFL Trophy is entering the knockout phase following three rounds of group stage action. Here's everything you need to know about the round of 32 draw, as well as the potential favourites to go all the way in this season's competition.
Which teams qualified for the 2024/25 EFL Trophy knockout stages
League One and Two outfits dominate the 2024/25 EFL Trophy round of 32. Of the 16 Premier League U21 teams to compete in the group stage, only one finished in the top two of their group (Aston Villa):
Team | Method of qualification |
|---|---|
Stockport | Northern Group A winners |
Tranmere | Northern Group A runners-up |
Wrexham | Northern Group B winners |
Port Vale | Northern Group B runners-up |
Morecambe | Northern Group C winners |
Wigan | Northern Group C runners-up |
Bolton | Northern Group D winners |
Aston Villa U21 | Northern Group D runners-up |
Blackpool | Northern Group E winners |
Crewe | Northern Group E runners-up |
Doncaster | Northern Group F winners |
Huddersfield | Northern Group F runners-up |
Chesterfield | Northern Group G winners |
Lincoln | Northern Group G runners-up |
Rotherham | Northern Group H winners |
Bradford | Northern Group H runners-up |
Walsall | Southern Group A winners |
Birmingham | Southern Group A runners-up |
Wycombe | Southern Group B winners |
AFC Wimbledon | Southern Group B runners-up |
Charlton | Southern Group C winners |
Cambridge | Southern Group C runners-up |
Peterborough | Southern Group D winners |
Stevenage | Southern Group D runners-up |
Colchester | Southern Group E winners |
Leyton Orient | Southern Group E runners-up |
Burton Albion | Southern Group F winners |
Northampton | Southern Group F runners-up |
Exeter | Southern Group G winners |
Swindon | Southern Group G runners-up |
Cheltenham | Southern Group H winners |
Reading | Southern Group H runners-up |
2024/25 EFL Trophy round of 32 results
The draw for the EFL Trophy round of 32 was completed following the conclusion of the group stage. These matches took place in the week commencing 9 December.
Northern Section
Fixture |
|---|
Morecambe 0-1 Lincoln City |
Wrexham 1-0 Crewe Alexandra |
Stockport County 2-3 Bradford City |
Bolton Wanderers 3-1 Huddersfield Town |
Rotherham United 3-2 Tranmere Rovers |
Blackpool vs Aston Villa U21 |
Chesterfield 3-2 Wigan Athletic |
Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Port Vale |
Southern Section
Fixture |
|---|
Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Swindon Town |
Peterborough United vs Northampton Town |
Charlton Athletic 0-2 Leyton Orient |
Walsall 1-1 (4-2p) Reading |
Cheltenham Town 2-1 Cambridge United |
Colchester United 2-0 AFC Wimbledon |
Burton Albion 0-4 Stevenage |
Exeter City 1-2 Birmingham City |
When is the 2024/25 EFL Trophy round of 16 draw?
The EFL Trophy round of 16 will take place before the conclusion of the first knockout round on Saturday 14 December. The final two round of 32 games are scheduled for Tuesday 17 December.
Saturday's draw will take place on Sky Sports Football at around 11:50 am ahead of the Championship tussle between Preston and Leeds.
Once again, the draw will be regionalised with Northern and Southern sections.
Who are the favourites to win the 2024/25 EFL Trophy?
League One galacticos Birmingham City didn't have it all their own way in the group stage, but they've progressed into the round of 16 and are the current favourites to win the competition.
The Blues' overwhelming priority this season is a return to the Championship. Still, they doubtlessly boast the resources to compete on multiple fronts. Once Tom Brady catches wind of the opportunity to claim silverware, Birmingham will surely go all guns blazing in the hope of winning their third EFL Trophy and first since 1995.
Wycombe Wanderers were beaten finalists last time out but appear even stronger in 2024/25. They're set to be locked in a thrilling League One title race with the cash-rich Birmingham this term but won't be competing for this trophy having succumbed to Swindon in the round of 32. Wrexham were also impressive in the group stages and have proven that they belong in the third tier at the start of the new season. The Welsh outfit aren't shy of a cup run either, and they'll fancy their chances of going deep in the EFL Trophy.
History would suggest that Peterborough, currently residing in mid-table of the third-tier, are unlikely to go back-to-back. In EFL Trophy history, no team has ever won consecutive titles. Blackpool won two in the space of three years between 2002 and 2004, but that's as close as any team has come.
When is the 2025 EFL Trophy final?
The 2024/25 EFL Trophy final has been pencilled in for Sunday 13 April 2025 at Wembley. It's typically a grand occasion, with over 85,000 in attendance for Portsmouth's dramatic penalty shootout victory over Sunderland in 2019.
Over 42,000 watched on as Peterborough claimed their second EFL Trophy crown earlier this year.
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