Wrexham v Reading Preview: Carabao Cup third round at the STōK Racecourse

Wrexham host Reading in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday 23 September 2025 at the STōK Racecourse. This match, known as a "cup tie," is a single-elimination game in a knockout tournament where the winner advances and the loser is eliminated. The tie pits newly promoted Championship side Wrexham against League One challengers Reading.

Beyond the immediate prize of progressing to round four, the Carabao Cup still offers a tangible route into European football: the winners gain access to a Europa Conference League play-off position. For Wrexham the tie represents a chance to build midweek momentum without derailing a Championship campaign; for Reading it is a potential source of income, confidence and a season-defining scalp.

Kick-off is on 23 September at Wrexham’s STōK Racecourse. On paper Wrexham are favorites—the momentum of three straight promotions give them the edge—while Reading approach as motivated underdogs.

Wrexham’s rise, backed publicly by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, culminated in promotion to the Championship at the end of 2024–25 under Phil Parkinson.

That upward trajectory has left them with stronger squad depth than many clubs at this stage.

Reading, remaining in League One for 2025–26 after a turbulent spell, are managed by Noel Hunt, who views cup progress as both financial lifeblood and a way to galvanise the squad and supporters.

Reading reached this round with wins over Portsmouth and AFC Wimbledon.

Sam Smith (Wrexham):

Smith left Reading for Wrexham on 31 January 2025 and could face his former club if selected. His presence adds a personal edge to the fixture and gives Wrexham an attacking option familiar with Reading’s setup.

Jack Marriott (Reading):

Marriott moved the other way, signing for Reading on 26 August 2025 after appearing earlier in this season’s Carabao Cup for Wrexham. Because he played for Wrexham in the competition already, Marriott is cup-tied and ineligible to face his former side in round three — a neat twist that removes one obvious on-field talking point but intensifies the Smith storyline.

Expect a physical, competitive game where set-pieces and midfield battles could decide the outcome. Wrexham are likely to control territory and look to exploit superior fitness and quality in forward areas, but Parkinson must weigh the benefit of a strong XI against league fixture congestion.

Reading will probably set up to frustrate and counter—packing midfield, defending compactly and looking to punish mistakes on the break. With Marriott unavailable, Reading’s attacking plan will rely on other forwards to supply the cutting edge.

Both managers have incentive to rotate, but Wrexham’s deeper roster gives them more scope to field a strong side without overcommitting first-choice players. Reading may be more pragmatic, mixing regular starters with rotation to preserve fitness for League One. Expect reliable defensive cores from both teams; cup ties at this stage often hinge on discipline, concentration and the ability to handle physical duels.

A Wrexham win would be the expected result on paper and would provide a useful confidence boost while keeping momentum in two competitions. For Reading an upset would be significant: a financial windfall, a morale surge and evidence that Noel Hunt’s group can compete above their league status. Conversely, an upset would be a damaging distraction for Wrexham early in their Championship campaign, even if the squad can absorb a single defeat.

Final team sheets, any late injuries and the managers’ rotation choices will shape the match more than form lines alone. Weather, referee decisions and the immediacy of cup tensions always produce variables that can tilt a single-elimination game.

This tie is a classic early-season litmus test: Wrexham bring momentum, depth and expectation; Reading bring a motivated, compact unit searching for cup reward and belief.

The result will hinge on selection decisions and which side handles the small moments better, with the loser missing an early opportunity for a meaningful cup run.