Reading host Brentford at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in a 20:00 Carabao Cup tie, with live coverage available on Sky Sports+ in the UK.
The match brings together a League One side and a Premier League side, so Brentford will be expected to progress. Even so, cup football can change quickly, and Reading will take confidence from knowing they have already put one higher-profile test behind them in this competition.
Reading's route into the tie
Leam Richardson's side reached this stage after beating Stevenage 3-0 in the previous round. Their recent league form has been mixed, though there have been positives in the last few weeks: before last weekend, Reading won two of their last three League One matches.
That run ended with a 2-1 defeat to Cambridge United, which is a reminder that Reading arrive with something to prove. Against a team from the division above, they will need a disciplined performance if they are to threaten an upset.
Brentford arrive with goals in the bank
Brentford, meanwhile, have already shown their Carabao Cup strength this season by beating Birmingham City 6-1 in the previous round. That result underlined the gap in firepower they can produce when they are in rhythm.
The Premier League side also come into the game after a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, following a 1-1 draw with Sunderland. Those results suggest Brentford are competitive, but this is still a fixture they will believe they should control.
For Reading, the chance is to make the game awkward and keep it alive for as long as possible. For Brentford, the task is simpler: avoid giving the underdog encouragement and use their quality to settle the tie early.
With a place in the next round at stake, this is exactly the kind of cup match where pressure falls on the favourite. Brentford are expected to win, but Reading will hope the atmosphere and the format can help them make things interesting.
