Arsenal and Chelsea learn ball numbers ahead of group stage draw for EFL Trophy
Details for the group stage of next season’s EFL Trophy have been confirmed with the ball numbers for Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham United and Fulham revealed.
The draw pits teams from across League One and League Two against one another, as well as others from category 1 Premier League and Championship academies.
The draw has been regionalised and split up into northern and southern sections.
There are eight groups in each region and each one currently includes three teams.
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A fourth side will be added to each group – the academy of a Premier League or Championship side- when the draw takes place on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 18.
The draw is being broadcast live on talkSPORT 2 from 1.30pm.
The likes of Manchester United, Leeds United, Manchester City, and Liverpool are named in the northern section.
And in the southern part of the draw, Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham United and Fulham are among the clubs invited.
Here’s how the groups in each region look like so far, and the ball numbers for the sides still to be allocated.
Northern
Group A
Carlisle United
Fleetwood Town
Sunderland
Group B
Morecambe
Rochdale
Salford City
Group C
Bolton Wanderers
Crewe Alexandra
Shrewsbury Town
Group D
Port Vale
Tranmere Rovers
Wigan Athletic
Group E
Mansfield Town
Lincoln City
Scunthorpe United
Group F
Bradford City
Doncaster Rovers
Oldham Athletic
Group G
Accrington Stanley
Barrow
Blackpool
Group H
Grimsby Town
Harrogate Town
Hull City
Ball numbers for northern section
1. Aston Villa
2. Leeds United
3. Leicester City
4. Liverpool
5. Manchester City
6. Manchester United
7. Newcastle United
8. Wolves
Southern
Group A
Colchester United
Portsmouth
Southend United
Group B
Crawley Town
Gillingham
Ipswich Town
Group C
MK Dons
Northampton Town
Stevenage
Group D
Bristol Rovers
Oxford United
Walsall
Group E
Exeter City
Forest Green Rovers
Swindon Town
Group F
Cheltenham Town
Newport County
Plymouth Argyle
Group G
AFC Wimbledon
Charlton Athletic
Leyton Orient
Group H
Burton Albion
Cambridge United
Peterborough United
Ball numbers for southern section
1. Arsenal
2. Brighton & Hove Albion
3. Chelsea
4. Fulham
5. Norwich City
6. Southampton
7. West Bromwich Albion
8. West Ham United
Read More:Arsenal and Chelsea learn ball numbers ahead of group stage draw for EFL Trophy