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Looking to cause a cup upset, League One side Reading welcome Premier League outfit Brentford to the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night as they look to book their place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
The Royals have already played two games in the competition, securing a penalty-shootout victory over Bromley before breezing past Wycombe Wanderers, while the Bees thrashed Birmingham City 6-1 in the West Midlands in their only cup outing of the campaign so far.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Reading vs. Brentford key stats
- Reading have scored eight goals across their last two games at the Madejski Stadium.
- The last time the Royals beat the Bees was in April 2019, with Reading losing all four meetings since.
- Keith Andrews's side scored six goals in their second-round win over Birmingham City.
- Brentford have not lost in their five competitive matches this season but have drawn their last three Premier League games.
Reading vs. Brentford preview: Can Reading produce a cup shock?
Reading vs Brentford — Tale of the Tape
| Reading (League One) | vs | Brentford (Premier League) |
|---|---|---|
| 14th | Position | 6th |
| 7 | Points | 6 |
| 12 | Goals For | 7 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 4 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 4th / 20th | Home / Away Rank | 4th / 12th |
After starting the 2026-27 campaign with a first-round penalty-shootout victory over Bromley in the League Cup, Leam Richardson's side did not taste victory in League One until the start of September.
That first league win came at home to Mansfield Town, with the Royals thrashing the Stags 5-0 before following up with another home victory over Blackpool a few days later to extend their unbeaten run to five matches.
Richardson's men were unable to make it six unbeaten, though, with their impressive run also including a comfortable second-round EFL Cup victory over Stevenage, as they suffered their second league defeat of the season against high-flying Cambridge United.
The Royals went into half time ahead in their weekend clash thanks to a Jack Marriott strike, but the Berkshire-based side were unable to hold on after second-half goals from defenders Liam Bennett and Kell Watts completed a comeback victory for Neil Harris' side.
They now face their toughest opponent of the season in Brentford, a team they regularly encountered when both clubs were competing in the Championship but have not faced since 2021 and have not beaten since April 2019.
As for the visitors, they travel to Reading still unbeaten in all competitions this season, although they have failed to win any of their previous three Premier League outings.
After thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 on the opening day of the season, Keith Andrews's side turned their attention to EFL Cup action, where they tore Birmingham City apart with a 6-1 victory at St Andrew's.
Three consecutive draws against Leeds United, Sunderland and Bournemouth have since followed, leaving the Bees sixth in the English top flight and one of eight sides yet to lose in the league.
The latest stalemate against the Cherries saw Andrews's men come from behind to secure a point after falling 2-1 behind early in the second half.
However, Kevin Schade scored his second goal of the afternoon just minutes later to restore parity and keep Brentford's unbeaten run alive.
Reading vs. Brentford form guide & betting tips
| Reading | vs | Brentford |
|---|---|---|
DWWWL |
Form | WWDDD |
| 12 | Goals For | 13 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 5 |
D*W |
League Cup Form | W |
Whispers predicts: Reading 0-3 Brentford
With a third-tier side welcoming a Premier League outfit, Tuesday's clash appears to favour an away side who are yet to taste defeat this season.
Brentford are likely to make changes for their EFL Cup trip to Berkshire, but they should still have more than enough quality to advance to the next round and are priced at 3/10 to win in normal time on Tuesday night.
We also expect the Bees to return to winning ways in style, with a 3-0 victory priced at 17/2, while Over 2.5 goals is available at 2/5.
Callum Wilson has been on the bench throughout the Premier League campaign, but he could return to the starting XI for this one and is priced at 1/1 to score his second EFL Cup goal of the season.
> Brentford to win at 3/10 | Likelihood: Probable
> Callum Wilson to score at 1/1 ] | Likelihood: Likely
> Over 2.5 goals at 2/5 | Likelihood: Likely
> Exact score prediction of 0-3 at 17/2 | Likelihood: Outsider