The Carabao Cup is heating up as the first Premier League teams enter the fray during the second-round stage. Notable clubs like Chelsea and Tottenham are among the top-flight teams that will be competing, having not participated in European football this season.

Among the weekend's winners, West Ham, Wolves, and Burnley also secured their spots in this critical phase, waiting to see who they might face from the Premier League.

Key details include:

• The draw will occur prior to the match between Exeter and Plymouth, which will determine the last team to qualify for the second round.
• The competition remains regionalized, dividing teams into north and south sections to minimize travel burdens, thus limiting potential opponents.
• The second-round matches are scheduled to take place in the week commencing 24 August.

As the excitement builds, fans eagerly await the draw to see how their teams will fare in this knockout tournament.