Wrexham draw Cardiff in EFL Cup as Swans face Man City

Wrexham and Cardiff City have not met since a penalty shootout win for Wrexham in the FAW Premier Cup semi-final in 2004

There will be an all-Welsh tie in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with Wrexham hosting Cardiff City.

Swansea City, the competition winners in 2013, have been handed a home tie against Premier League giants Manchester City, with the fixtures taking place across the week beginning 27 October.

This is the first time in the competition's history that three Welsh clubs have made it to the fourth round.

The League Cup, as it was originally known, was first played in 1960.

In the 65 previous editions of the competition, Wales has only once had more than one side in the last 16, when Swansea City and Wrexham made it that far in 1976-77.

Wrexham and Cardiff, finalists in 2012, will play each other for the first time in 21 years having not met since an FAW Cup contest in 2004.

How they got there

Swansea scored two stoppage-time goals to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 having trailed 2-0

Swansea were the first Welsh side to reach round four after a spectacular late comeback gave Alan Sheehan's side victory over Premier League Nottingham Forest last week.

The Swans have also seen off Crawley Town and Plymouth Argyle in this year's competition.

Cardiff joined their south Wales rivals in taking a Premier League scalp on Tuesday as goals from Joel Colwill and Callum Robinson helped Brian Barry-Murphy's team to a 2-1 victory at Burnley.

The Bluebirds, who have lost only one game all season, had previously knocked out Swindon Town and Cheltenham Town.

Wrexham are through to round four for the first time since 1977-78 after a 2-0 triumph over Reading on Tuesday, with Nathan Broadhead scoring both goals at the Stok Cae Ras.

Phil Parkinson's team have also overcome two Championship rivals, Hull City and Preston North End, during their run.

Reaction to the draw - what have people said?

Wrexham's Nathan Broadhead will be delighted with the chance to play Cardiff City - but has admitted the fourth round tie might cause family divisions.

Prior to the draw being made, the 27-year-old said he wanted the north Wales club to be paired with the Bluebirds in the next round as his father supports Brian Barry-Murphy's side.

"I'd love Cardiff. My old man's a Cardiff fan," said Broadhead who struck both goals against Reading to fire Wrexham into the last 16.

"I don't know what side he'd be on."

And former Wales striker Malcolm Allen is excited for the north v south encounter.

"I can't wait - and that's what the players will be thinking, supporters will be thinking," Allen told BBC Radio Wales.

"Wrexham and Cardiff just missed each other didn't they in the summer with Cardiff going down and Wrexham going up into the Championship. But what a game, I'm looking forward to it so much."

Former Newcastle United and Norwich CIty forward Allen, who now works as a coach and a pundit for BBC Wales Sport, makes Wrexham only marginal favourites.

"I've got to go Wrexham, they're playing at home obviously that's going to be an advantage to them although they haven't been that great at the Racecourse this season," he added.

"Cardiff flying high, only lost to Bradford last week, went to Burnley, big scalp for them beating a Premiership team in this cup.

"I think Brian Barry-Murphy has done really well there, so Cardiff will be going up there full of confidence because of who they've just beaten in the cup and also how they're doing in the league."

Allen also believes home advantage can help Swansea CIty progress further in the competition, especially if Manchester City opt to rest some of their biggest stars.

"It's always going to be difficult against any Manchester City side and, after what's happened last year to Pep Guardiola's team winning nothing, they'll be after something this year," said Allen.

"Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City they're all still in the cup and they're all taking it seriously. They all know they want silverware but Man City will take a strong team down there [to Swansea].

"But again, it's going to be bouncing down there and I just hope that Swansea can create a shock."

How far can they go?

Callum Robinson scored his third goal in as many games to help Cardiff to victory at Burnley on Tuesday

Of Wales' four EFL clubs, Swansea enjoyed the best League Cup run of all, when Michael Laudrup's team lifted the trophy in 2012-3 thanks to victory over Bradford City at Wembley.

Swansea have reached round four eight times in total, with Cardiff getting that far on six occasions and Wrexham at this stage for the fourth time.

Newport County's only visit to the last 16 was in 2020-21, when they were beaten on penalties by Newcastle United. David Hughes' side bowed out in round two of this season's competition.

Wrexham have twice reached the quarter-finals, most recently in 1977-78, while Cardiff's best run came in 2011-12, when Malky Mackay's team famously pushed Liverpool all the way in the final at Wembley only to lose out in a penalty shootout.

Should any of the Welsh sides win their next tie in this year's competition, Wembley would be only two rounds away, with at least one Welsh side guaranteed to be in the last eight.

Nathan Brodhead (centre) scored twice in Wrexham's win over Reading, his first goals since his big-money move from Ipswich Town

Key dates

• Fourth round: w/c 27 October 2025

• Quarter-finals: w/c 15 December 2025

• Semi-final first leg: w/c 12 January 2026

• Semi-final second leg: w/c 2 February 2026

• Final: Sunday 22 March 2026