Jimenez and Alvarez learn Carabao Cup second-round opponents

The draw has laid out a clear path for the two Mexicans fighting for minutes in the Premier League. Raul Jimenez and his Wolverhampton Wanderers will travel to face Sheffield Wednesday, of League One, in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Meanwhile, Edson Alvarez and West Ham will take on Southampton at St Mary's, a matchup with a recent Premier League flavor since both clubs shared a division not long ago.

The ties will be played in the week starting Monday, August 24, though exact dates and kickoff times have yet to be confirmed. As is often the case in the early rounds of this competition, the draw was split into northern and southern sections so clubs wouldn't have to travel from one end of the country to the other, meaning all matchups stayed within their own region.

On the southern side, there are also some eye-catching fixtures. Chelsea will host Luton Town, who reached this stage after thrashing Gillingham Town 3-0. And Tottenham will face Charlton Athletic in a meeting that hasn't happened since 2011, when Spurs ran out 3-0 winners in the FA Cup thanks to a goal from Andros Townsend and a brace from Jermain Defoe.

Recent history in the League Cup

Chelsea haven't lifted this trophy since 2015, when they beat a young Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham 2-0 with a goal from John Terry and an own goal from Kyle Walker. In total, the Londoners have racked up five titles in the competition. Tottenham, for their part, carry an even older thorn: their last triumph came in 2008, courtesy of a Jonathan Woodgate extra time goal in a 2-1 win, fittingly, over Chelsea.

In the northern section, the tie generating the most buzz pits Nottingham Forest, last season's Europa League semifinalists, against Leeds United, also newly returned to England's top flight. Two Premier League sides meeting this early in the competition isn't the norm, which is why this match is stealing the spotlight in the northern bracket.

The defending champion is Manchester City, who claimed their ninth League Cup title thanks to a second-half brace from Nico O'Reilly against Arsenal at Wembley. That title made Pep Guardiola, who was in charge of the team at the time, the first manager to win this competition five times.

For Jimenez and Alvarez, the Carabao Cup is always an extra avenue to rack up minutes and compete for a domestic trophy. Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton won't be easy opponents despite playing in lower divisions, but both Wolves and West Ham arrive as favorites on paper.