Welsh sides await draw having made EFL Cup history

Wales now has three clubs in the fourth round for the first time in the competition’s history thanks to the Carabao Cup victories of Cardiff City and Wrexham.

The League Cup, as it was known at the time, was first played in 1960.

Wales has only ever had more than one side in the final 16, in the 65 previous competitions, including Swansea City and Wrexham, in 1976-77.

In this year’s competition, The Swans defeated Plymouth Argyle and Crawley Town.

Joel Colwill and Callum Robinson’s goals on Tuesday gave Cardiff, along with their south-south rivals, a 2-1 victory over Burnley.

The Bluebirds previously defeated Swindon Town and Cheltenham Town, winning just one game overall this season.

After beating Reading 2-0 on Tuesday, Nathan Broadhead scored both goals at the Stok Cae Ras, making it their first appearance in the top four since 1977-78.

Swansea, one of Wales’ four EFL clubs, won the League Cup in 2012-3 with a 2-1 win over Bradford City at Wembley, which was the best run of all of its teams.

Overall, Swansea have advanced to round four eight times, with Cardiff going that far six times, and Wrexham the fourth time at this point.

Newport County only made their final 16 appearance in 2020-21 when Newcastle United beat them on penalties.

Wrexham have twice advanced to the quarter-finals, most recently in 1977-78, while Cardiff’s best run came in 2011-2012, when Malky Mackay’s team famously led Liverpool to the final at Wembley only to lose on a penalty shootout.

Since then, League One side Wycombe Wanderers and League Two club Grimsby Town have seven Premier League teams in the top seven: Liverpool, Chelsea, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Fulham, and Wolves. They also belong to League One and League Two, and they defeated Manchester United in round two.

Manchester City will play at Huddersfield Town on Wednesday in addition to the Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur and Bradford City host Bradford City at home.

Therefore, Cardiff, Swansea, and Wrexham could face heavyweight opposition as they prepare to advance to the quarter-finals.