The draw for the Carabao Cup third round takes place tonight as more teams from the Premier League, including current cup winners Manchester City, enter the competition and learn who they will face.
Most top-flight clubs, such as Chelsea and Tottenham, entered the tournament in the second round with those who are competing in European competitions this season now involved as well. Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are among those to enter at this stage.
Their participation also means that the third round will be played across two midweeks in order for the teams involved in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League to juggle their match schedules.
The Independent understands that the third round will take place during the broadcast of Preston v Everton on Wednesday evening.
The draw for the Carabao Cup third round will take place on Wednesday 26 August. It will follow the conclusion of the second round tie between Preston and Everton which kicks off at 8pm BST, meaning the draw could start at around 10.15pm BST.
The Carabao Cup third-round draw will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football following the conclusion of Preston v Everton. The Independent understands a pre-draw show will happen before the game and the draw will take place after the final whistle.
32 teams are involved in the draw including 23 winners of second round ties and nine additional Premier League clubs who are also competing in European competitions this season.
The ball numbers will be confirmed on this morning ahead of the draw.
The third round of the Carabao Cup is scheduled to take place across consecutive weeks, starting on September 7 and September 14. The ties will be played midweek as single-leg fixtures with the winners progressing to the fourth round.
