Derby County will face Nottingham Forest while West Bromwich Albion take on Aston Villa after the draw for the 32-team Premier League Cup group stages was made.
The Midlands match-ups are within two of the eight groups, consisting of four teams.
The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stages.
Elsewhere, defending champions Swansea City face some long journeys as they were drawn against Newcastle United, Burnley and Colchester United.
Portsmouth, last season's shock semi-finalists, will face Premier League 2 champions Everton, whom they beat on the way to the last four, if they beat Southend United in a qualifier.
The PL Cup adds a competitive edge of knockout football to the regular league programme, pitting PL2 sides from Category One Academies against teams from Categories Two, Three and Four.
Details for the Group Stage fixtures will be confirmed soon.
Premier League Cup group stage draw
Group A
Derby County, Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest
Group B
Blackburn Rovers, Southampton, Watford, Cardiff City
Group C
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Norwich City, AFC Bournemouth/Wigan Athletic, Bury/Bristol Rovers
Group D
Swansea City, Newcastle United, Burnley, Colchester United
Group E
West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, Sheffield United, Ipswich Town
Group F
Everton, Leicester City, Portsmouth/ Southend United, Barnsley
Group G
Stoke City, Liverpool, Charlton Athletic, Bristol City
Group H
Sunderland, Brighton & Hove Albion, Dagenham & Redbridge/Exeter City, Hull City
Premier League Cup qualifying fixtures
22 August
Bury v Bristol Rovers, 7pm BST, Gigg Lane
23 August
Portsmouth v Southend United, 7pm BST, Havant & Waterlooville FC
5 September
Dagenham & Redbridge v Exeter City, 7pm BST, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium
Date to be confirmed
Wigan Athletic v AFC Bournemouth, time and venue TBC
