Carabao Cup Second Round Pairings for Mexican Stars
Mexican internationals Raúl Jiménez and Edson Álvarez have learned their second-round opponents in the Carabao Cup following confirmation from tournament organizers. Wolverhampton Wanderers will visit League One side Sheffield Wednesday, while West Ham United is set to face Southampton at St Mary’s in matches scheduled for the week commencing Monday, August 24.
Jiménez Returns North With Wolverhampton Wanderers
The regionalized draw keeps clubs matched against opponents from their respective geographical sections to limit travel distances for teams and supporters.
Jiménez returned to Wolves after spending the 2025–26 season with Fulham, where he scored 31 goals across 115 appearances, according to historical club data reported by Esto. Prior to his stint with the Cottagers, the striker played 166 matches and netted 57 goals during his initial five-year run with Wolves from 2018 to 2023.
Álvarez and West Ham Head to the South Coast
Meanwhile, Edson Álvarez and West Ham United travel to the south coast to face Southampton. According to match reporting from Vanguardia, Álvarez recently returned to competitive action for the Hammers in a 3–1 first-round victory over Portsmouth at the London Stadium, playing 74 minutes under manager Nuno Espírito Santo after spending the previous campaign on loan at Turkish club Fenerbahçe. West Ham now shifts focus to their upcoming Championship clash against fellow recent Premier League side Southampton.
Regionalized Bracket Highlights
The second round features several notable matchups across both the northern and southern divisions. In the northern section, last season’s Europa League semifinalists Nottingham Forest will host Leeds United in a clash between top-flight rivals. Other northern ties include Stoke City against Hull City, Newcastle United facing West Bromwich Albion, and Everton traveling to Preston North End.
Southern Division Showdowns and London Derbies
In the southern section, Chelsea has been drawn against Luton Town, while Tottenham Hotspur will host Charlton Athletic in a London derby. Additional southern fixtures feature Cardiff City facing Norwich City, Birmingham City meeting Brentford, and Watford playing Peterborough United. Exact dates and kickoff times for all second-round ties remain subject to official confirmation by tournament organizers.
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