Sunderland v Brentford Carabao Cup preview: TV, form, prediction and travel

Sunderland v Brentford

Stadium of LightKick-off: Wednesday 28 October, 19:45 GMTUK TV: Sky Sports+

Last 5 league games · oldest → newest · points

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League head-to-head

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Last 5 recorded league meetings · past 10 years

Sunderland v Brentford gives the Premier League’s bottom side a chance to change the conversation in the Carabao Cup, with a quarter-final place at stake against opponents 14 league positions above them.

Match preview: where the tie could be decided

Sunderland sit 20th in the Premier League and Brentford sixth, the largest same-division gap in this round. A goalless home draw against Leeds stopped Sunderland conceding in their latest league outing, while a 1–1 European draw at Lech offered another hard-fought result. Those games give the hosts a basis for keeping this tie competitive; they still need to turn that resilience into enough attacking threat to progress.

Brentford lost 2–1 at home to Liverpool after drawing 1–1 at Hull. They therefore arrive with their own reason to seek a positive result, rather than as a side whose league position guarantees control. Their 2–1 third-round win at Reading is the closer cup comparison: an away game in which they found a way through a potentially awkward assignment.

The latest league meeting between Sunderland and Brentford ended 1–1. Sunderland will want the home crowd behind a purposeful performance without exposing themselves while chasing a goal. Brentford need patience if an early breakthrough does not come and enough quality in the final third to make their stronger league position relevant on the night. Cup progress would carry particular value for the hosts, but that incentive is shared by their visitors.

How both teams reached the fourth round

Sunderland edged Hull 1–0 in the third round, while Brentford won 2–1 at Reading. Both progressed by a single goal, a reminder that neither side has needed a comfortable scoreline to keep its cup run alive.

What is the financial reward for a cup run?

There is no fixed prize-fund payment for winning this fourth-round tie. The reported competition awards are £100,000 for the winners, £50,000 for the runners-up and £25,000 for losing semi-finalists. Those are awards for the finishing stage, rather than a cumulative payment for every round.

The clubs also share net gate receipts after permitted match costs. Television selections can bring facility fees, with the amount depending on the round and broadcast arrangements. Those sources of income are separate from prize money.