League Two Stevenage aim to maintain 100% record as they look to cause upset against Championship side Reading

Both Reading and Stevenage came from behind to earn important wins at the weekend, but now attentions turn to the Carabao Cup as both sides vie to progress into the 2nd Round for a potential clash with Premier League opposition.

With the new season now underway, the Carabao Cup offers a chance for managers to have a look at different players and test out those on the fringes of the squad in a far less pressurised environment. However, it is also an opportunity to progress and particularly for those sides further down the EFL, is a great chance to bag a money spinning tie against one of the Premier League big boys.

The latter may well be on the mind of Stevenage, as they are hoping to continue their perfect start to the 2022/23 campaign with a win at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Boro had to come from behind at the weekend with two late goals to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. First, a penalty converted by Luke Norris before Jamie Reid bundled home a late winner.

Now, Steve Evans’ side are looking for a Championship scalp against a Reading side tipped for a battle at the bottom this season under Paul Ince.

However, after a disappointing opening day loss at Bloomfield Road, the Royals earned their first win of the season against Cardiff City.

They too had to come from behind as Callum O’Dowda put the visitors ahead with less than five minutes gone. Shane Long scored his first goal for the club in over a decade from the penalty spot to level things up before Tom Ince fired home to ensure that his father Paul Ince would get his first win as Reading manager.

Reading lost in the first round of the League Cup for the first time in ten years last season as they succumbed to fellow Championship side Swansea. Their best performances in the last decade have come in reaching the 4th round twice in both 2012 and 2016, losing out to Arsenal on both occasions.

Incidentally, this year marks the tenth anniversary of one of the greatest League Cup games of all time, with Reading losing out 7-5 after extra time after initially going 4-0 up against the Gunners.

Though the fixture with Stevenage is not going to have the same grandeur, whether the game will have the same outrageous result remains to be seen.

Reading will be without Scott Dann, Liam Moore and potentially Lucas Joao through injury, but will have more in the way of options than their League Two opponents who, whilst they do not have any injury absentees, only have a first team squad currently consisting of 18 first team players.

The Royals new signing Dean Bouzanis could well make his debut for the club in goal, whilst talented youngsters such as Jahmari Clarke (18) and Rashawn Scott (19) will hope that they can also feature, having both been on the bench for the season opener.

The game will kick off at 8:00pm, with penalties implemented if the two teams are tied after 90 minutes.

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