Carabao Cup Third Round
Brentford Travel to Face Reading in Carabao Cup Third Round Action
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Brentford finished ninth in the Premier League last season, level on points with eighth-placed Brighton but missing out on European football on goal difference.
2
Reading and Brentford last met in the 2020-21 Championship season, when Brentford won both matches 3-1; both games were played behind closed doors during the COVID-19-affected campaign.
3
Keith Andrews took over as Brentford head coach last June after Thomas Frank left to manage Tottenham Hotspur, having previously joined Brentford as a set-piece coach in 2024.
4
Brentford’s unbeaten start has included three consecutive draws, which has slightly diminished the impact of their otherwise positive record this season.
Reading will host Brentford at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in the Carabao Cup third round at 8 p.m. BST. Sky Sports+ will provide live coverage of the match between the League One side and the unbeaten Premier League team.
Brentford enter as heavy favorites after crushing Birmingham City 6-1 in the previous round. Reading, meanwhile, knocked out Stevenage but come into the tie following a 2-1 loss to Cambridge United. Manager Keith Andrews will likely rotate Brentford's squad against lower-league opposition.
Brentford's Strong Start Tested by Cup Duty
Brentford remain unbeaten this season under new boss Keith Andrews, who took over last June after Thomas Frank departed for Tottenham. The Bees finished ninth in the Premier League last season, missing European football despite level points with Brighton on goal difference. However, three consecutive draws have tempered their otherwise positive record so far.
The club is chasing a third straight Carabao Cup fourth-round appearance. Brentford will be without academy striker Kaye Furo, who required surgery after a training injury. Callum Wilson is expected to lead the attack, with Benjamin Fredrick potentially returning to the squad.
Reading's Upset Bid From Home Advantage
Reading stunned Stevenage to reach this round but have stumbled in League One play. Their 2-1 defeat to Cambridge United came just days before facing Brentford. The home crowd at the Select Car Leasing Stadium will be their main weapon against Premier League opposition.
The two clubs last met during the 2020-21 Championship season, when Brentford won both matches 3-1 behind closed doors. That history suggests the gulf in quality remains wide, but cup football often produces surprises.
Rotation Plans Could Open Door for Underdogs
Andrews has signaled that Brentford will rotate heavily against lower-league opposition, meaning first-team regulars may rest on the bench. This tactical shift gives Reading a genuine opportunity to stay competitive and possibly cause an upset. Cup ties reward teams that stay organized and capitalize on chances.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
14
Articles
15
Reach
29
A
AnonymousAuthor
