The EFL Cup third round continues this week with Wrexham hosting Reading at the Racecourse Ground. The tie takes place on Tuesday night and provides both sides with an opportunity to extend their runs in a competition where each has already cleared two rounds.
Wrexham’s season has been full of drama in the Championship, where they have already been involved in several high-scoring matches. Their campaign began with a narrow defeat at Southampton, followed by a breathless 3-2 loss to West Brom, but since then they have turned the corner.
Wins against Millwall and Norwich show their ability to compete at this level, while in the EFL Cup they have already knocked out Hull and Preston. Statistically, Wrexham’s matches are chaotic: their games average more than four goals, and while their attack is lively, their defence is one of the weakest in the division by expected goals conceded.
Reading come into this tie from a different angle, operating in League One and searching for consistency. They have mixed results so far, with a recent win over Leyton Orient helping to settle the mood after defeats to Huddersfield and Barnsley. Their xPTS in the league is among the lowest, and they tend to rely on efficiency rather than control. That said, they have already claimed cup scalps, beating Portsmouth away and Wimbledon at home to reach this stage.
Both clubs have been active in reshaping squads, with Wrexham strengthening with depth for the Championship challenge, while Reading’s resources remain tighter following their financial issues in recent years. This clash of styles with Wrexham’s open and attacking versus Reading’s more cautious approach sets up a fascinating third-round contest.
How the bookies view it: Goals on the agenda with a home win
Wrexham are 7/10 (58.8%) favourites to win, with the draw priced at 16/5 (23.8%) and Reading out at 4/1 (20.0%). The goal markets point strongly towards action, with over 2.5 goals trading at 4/6 (60.0%) and both teams to score available at 8/11 (57.9%).
Head to Head: Honours even
The recent head-to-head between Wrexham and Reading shows things are finely balanced. Last season in League One, both sides won their home fixtures. Wrexham were 3-0 winners at the Racecourse in August 2024, a result built on efficiency in front of goal despite being second-best in some underlying metrics.
Reading responded in March 2025 with a 2-0 win on their own patch, controlling that match with stronger possession numbers and a more solid defensive shape.
Players to watch: More of the same for Moore
Kieffer Moore looks one of the standout anytime scorer options heading into Wrexham’s cup tie with Reading. Since joining the club, Moore has made an instant impact in the Championship, scoring five goals across his first six league starts, plus another in the EFL Cup against Preston. That’s six in eight competitive appearances in Wrexham colours, underlining his sharpness and reliability in front of goal.
The numbers back up the case further. Moore has attempted 19 shots this season, with eight of those hitting the target, a healthy 42% accuracy. He has also generated 2.3 xG, which is right in line with his actual return, showing his chances are high quality and sustainable rather than opportunistic finishes. His performance against Sheffield Wednesday, where he struck twice from 6 attempts, highlighted his ability to dominate weaker backlines.
Moore is also the focal point of Wrexham’s attack, consistently leading the line for 90 minutes. His aerial presence and physicality make him the main target for set pieces, while he has shown versatility in scoring with his feet and head. Even in tougher matches like the defeat to QPR, he still found the net, reflecting his threat in a variety of game states.
With Reading struggling defensively and often conceding big chances, Moore’s current form and role give him an excellent platform to extend his scoring streak. Everything points to him being a value pick to get on the scoresheet again.
Predicted line-ups
Wrexham (3-4-3): Okonkwo; Doyle, Hyam, Cleworth; Kaboré, Dobson, Sheaf, O’Brien; Windass, Moore, Longman.
Reading (4-3-3): Stevens; Dorsett, Burns, Fraser, Jacob; Wing, Savage, Garcia; Lane, O’Mahony, Ahmed.
Anything else catch the eye?
A strong betting angle for this EFL Cup tie is Wrexham to qualify alongside both teams to score.
Wrexham’s profile is simple: they score plenty but cannot keep teams out. They have netted in every competitive match this season across league and cup, yet have only two clean sheets in eight games. Defensively, they rank bottom three in the Championship for non-penalty xGA at 2.28 per game, showing just how frequently opponents generate chances.
That fragility is balanced by an attack producing 1.53 NP xG per match, with shots on target averaging more than four per game. In short, their matches are rarely dull and usually involve goals at both ends.
Reading have been less prolific, but they have scored in eight of their last ten fixtures in all competitions. Their league data is modest, with non-penalty xG of just 0.77 per game, yet in knockout football they have found a way.
They have already beaten Portsmouth and Wimbledon in this competition and created big moments in both matches. They are also vulnerable at the back, with an xGA average of 1.15 in League One and multiple concessions in three of their last five outings.
The combination of Wrexham’s high-event style and Reading’s ability to take their chances means goals for both teams looks highly likely. Add in Wrexham’s recent scalps of Millwall, Norwich and Preston, and the balance of probability leans strongly towards the hosts advancing. Their attacking depth should prove decisive, but it is unlikely to come with a clean sheet.
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