The Carabao Cup’s fourth round takes centre stage on Tuesday night, with three lower-league sides daring to dream against top-flight opposition. Wrexham’s all-Welsh showdown with Cardiff City headlines a night steeped in passion and pride, while League One’s Wycombe Wanderers and League Two’s Grimsby Town both eye further fairy-tale scalps against Fulham and Brentford respectively.
With quarter-final places up for grabs, the stage is set for another night of cup drama, and perhaps another dose of giant-killing magic. Here are my thoughts and a suggested bet for each clash.
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GRIMSBY TOWN v BRENTFORD – Click here to bet
Blundell Park plays host to one of the most anticipated nights in Grimsby’s modern history as the League Two outfit welcome Premier League opposition Brentford in the League Cup fourth round. The Mariners have been the story of the competition so far, stunning Manchester United on penalties at Old Trafford before edging past Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in round three. They’ll be hoping lightning strikes twice against a top-flight side now chasing a place in the quarter-finals.
David Artell’s men currently sit 6th in League Two, their solid league form providing further encouragement despite a 3-2 defeat at Crewe over the weekend. With Blundell Park packed to the rafters, the home faithful will believe another upset is possible.
Brentford, meanwhile, enter this clash looking to avoid embarrassment. The Bees advanced after overcoming Aston Villa on penalties in the previous round, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time, and have generally used this competition to rotate. Even so, Keith Andrews may opt for a stronger XI with a quarter-final spot on the line. The Premier League outfit head into Tuesday’s tie on the back of a thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool at the weekend, a result that lifted them to 11th in the table after nine matches.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first competitive meeting between the sides since 2009, when Brentford edged a 1-0 win away from home in League Two.
Betting
Grimsby Town 6/1
Draw 4/1
Brentford 19/50
Verdict
Grimsby’s giant-killing heroics have been one of the Cup’s great tales, but Brentford’s quality in possession and depth across the pitch should eventually tell. Expect the hosts to make a fight of it before class shines through.
Suggested Bet: Brentford to win and over 2.5 Goals at 93/100
WYCOMBE WANDERERS v FULHAM – Click here to bet
League One side Wycombe Wanderers will look to continue their League Cup journey as they host Premier League side Fulham at Adams Park. Since taking over, Michael Duff has overseen a remarkable turnaround, with Wycombe losing just once in eight matches and remaining unbeaten in their last four League One outings, including Saturday’s 3-0 rout of Huddersfield. That result has lifted them steadily to 17th on 16 points, and despite their early-season struggles, the Chairboys have shown real steel in this tournament, defeating Leyton Orient, Bromley, and Wigan to reach this stage.
Fulham, meanwhile, come off a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle this past weekend, leaving them 17th overall in the Premier League with just eight points from their opening nine matches. While things have not quite gone to plan in the league, Marco Silva’s side have been clinical in the Carabao Cup, opening with a 2-0 home win over Bristol City before a 1-0 victory against League Two Cambridge United. Tuesday’s tie will be their first away fixture in this year’s competition, and the Cottagers are yet to concede a goal in their Cup run.
Head-to-Head
This is the first competitive meeting between Wycombe and Fulham since 2017, when the London club prevailed 2-0 at Adams Park in this very competition.
Betting
Wycombe 5/1
Draw 13/4
Fulham 51/100
Verdict
Wycombe have shown resilience at Adams Park, and home support plus newfound confidence under new management could make life tricky for the visitors. Even so, Fulham’s superior quality and clinical edge should see them through.
Suggested Bet: Fulham to Win & Under 4.5 Goals at 87/100
WREXHAM v CARDIFF CITY – Click here to bet
It’s derby day in Wales as Wrexham welcome Cardiff City in a mouth-watering fourth-round clash. The Racecourse Ground is set to be electric for this rare encounter, with the two Welsh rivals meeting competitively for the first time in more than two decades.
Wrexham’s rise continues to capture the imagination of neutrals. Phil Parkinson’s side have made a solid start to life in the Championship, sitting 16th with 14 points after an impressive 1-1 draw away at Middlesbrough over the weekend. Their journey to this stage of the competition has been notable, with victories over Hull, Preston, and Reading, solid wins that reflect the Red Dragons growing maturity and confidence at this level.
Cardiff City, meanwhile, have been one of the standout sides in League One, enjoying a strong start that sees them top the table with 26 points. Their run to the fourth round has been equally impressive, with wins over Swindon and Cheltenham before registering a massive scalp against Burnley in the third round with a 2-1 victory at Turf Moor. They enter this tie following a 1-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers in league action over the weekend, though that result can be excused given their excellent start to the season and the likelihood that focus had already shifted to Tuesday’s all-Welsh affair.
Head-to-Head
Given these two sides have not met for over twenty years, previous meetings will have little to no impact in terms of head-to-head form.
Betting
Wrexham 5/4
Draw 12/5
Cardiff City 43/20
Verdict
Wrexham’s meteoric rise shows no sign of slowing, and this feels like another chapter in their remarkable story. With momentum building, belief sky-high, and an expectant Racecourse crowd behind them, the hosts will sense an opportunity to assert their growing status. Cardiff’s pedigree ensures this won’t come easily, but with pride and bragging rights on the line, the Red Dragons look primed to rise to the occasion
Suggested Bet: Wrexham to win at 5/4
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
