Guide to Reading’s third-round tie against Brentford in the 2026-27 Carabao Cup.
Victory would see Reading progress to the fourth round of this competition for the first time in a decade, having last done so in the 2016-17 season.
Brentford meanwhile are looking to advance beyond this stage for a third consecutive season.
Team News
Reading have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 2-1 League One loss at Cambridge, with manager – Leam Richardson set to rotate his squad.
Sean Patton remains sidelined with a foot injury.
Brentford too have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 2-2 draw at Bournemouth in the Premier League, with manager – Keith Andrews expected to rotate his squad.
Andrews also will hand B-Team member, Benjamin Fredrick a spot in the matchday squad as he looks to blood some young players into senior first-team action in this tie.
Fredrick’s B-Team teammate, Kaye Furo however is ruled out after he needed surgery on a knock he suffered in training.
Nathan Collins (calf), Mathias Jensen (strain), Josh Dasilva (hamstring), Sepp van den Berg (groin) and Antoni Milambo (ACL) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Reading host Brentford at Select Car Leasing Stadium on Tuesday 15 September at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports+ Red Button in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Reading lost their only previous League Cup tie against Brentford in September 1963 (L1), which saw the pair draw 1-1 in Berkshire before Brentford won the first-round replay 2-0 at their former home – Griffin Park.
- Brentford drew 1-1 in their only previous League Cup visit to Reading in September 1963 (D1).
- Reading’s four goals in the first two rounds each came from a different goalscorer (Josh Stokes vs Bromley, Jacob Brown, Paddy Lane and Randell Williams vs Stevenage)
- Brentford have never reached the fourth round of this competition in three consecutive seasons before.
Prediction
Whilst their league form so far has been solid if slightly unspectacular given their hopes of a promotion challenge, this tie is a chance for Reading to test themselves against opposition of a higher level but their defending from crosses need to improve after blowing a half-time lead at Cambridge.
Brentford meanwhile are a tough team with plenty of depth and it’s great to see Andrews using this tie to blood some youngsters and fringe players, whilst still going for a strong line-up as this is a winnable tie on their current form but their defence need to cut out the mistakes of recent games.
Although I am expecting goals from both teams such is the defensive vulnerability in both teams, Brentford really should have the stronger firepower to pull through.
Prediction: Reading 1-3 Brentford
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