2025-26 Carabao Cup: Third Round – Swansea vs Forest

Swansea City entertain Nottingham Forest in a third-round tie in the 2025-26 Carabao Cup. 

Victory would see Swansea secure a fourth-round spot for the first time since 2017-18 season, whilst Forest look to reach the last 16 for the second time in four seasons.

 

Team News

Swansea have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-2 draw at home to Hull on Saturday in the Championship.

Jay Fulton, Marko Stamenic (both groin) and Ricardo Santo (knee) remain ruled out.

Forest manager, Ange Postecoglou could hand Oleksandr Zinchenko his club debut after the Ukrainian was ineligible to feature in their 3-0 Premier League loss at Arsenal.

Ola Aina (unspecified), Murillo (knock) and Nicolas Dominguez (knee) remain ruled out.

When is Kick-Off?

Swansea host Forest at the Swanseacity.com Stadium on Wednesday 17 September at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Swansea’s first meeting against Forest in this competition, although the Swans have won each of their two previous clashes against Forest in all cup competitions.
• Forest have won two of their last seven visits to Swansea in all competitions (W2, D1, L4).
• Swansea failed to keep clean sheets in their two games so far in this season’s edition (W1, D1).
• Since their promotion back to the Premier League in 2022, Forest won their two EFL Cup meetings against lower-league opposition (W2).

 

Prediction

Having twice blown narrow leads against Hull on Saturday, Swansea now will be keen to bounce back with a better defensive display without losing much of their attacking edge with Zan Vipotnik and Ronald in solid form so far this season.

Forest though were unsurprisingly outclassed at Arsenal given their away form against the Gunners so this will be a chance to properly see how they adapt to Ange Postecoglou’s attacking style, but their defence will need to be much tidier after consecutive 3-0 losses.

I however do expect Swansea to mount a strong fight but with rotation set to play a part, I fancy Forest to nick this such is their better depth and quality.

Prediction: Swansea 1-2 Nottingham Forest

Result: Swansea 3-2 Nottingham Forest