Wrexham vs Cardiff live: Welsh rivals collide for first time in 21 years in Carabao Cup tie | OneFootball

(Getty Images)

Wrexham and Cardiff reignite their north-south Wales rivalry for the first time in 21 years with a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on the line.

While the two clubs sit 138 miles apart, there is a derby feel to this rarely-seen clash, pitting the capital club against the birthplace of Welsh football. Wrexham, whose three consecutive promotions have been powered by the ownership of Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, seem to have finally encountered a stumbling block on their rise through the divisions, sitting 16th in the Championship after 12 games, though a continued cup run could inject energy into their campaign.

Cardiff, meanwhile, are hoping to make this fixture more of a regular occurrence by returning to the second tier at the first time of asking - they currently sit top of League One after relegation last term. Can they get one over their hosts and book their place in the last eight?

Brendan Rodgers talked himself into trouble and Celtic chaos could lead to the unthinkable

On the loudest nights at Celtic Park, the sound of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is as stirring and defiant as its cousins at Anfield and the Westfalenstadion.

But for Brendan Rodgers, the noise and fallout following his shock resignation from the Scottish champions will leave the 52-year-old walking a lonely path as he packs his bags and departs Lennoxtown for the second time.

A stunning, explosive statement from the Celtic majority shareholder, Dermot Desmond, accused Rodgers of acting in a “divisive, misleading, and self-serving” manner that “contributed to a toxic atmosphere” around the club, torching all ties to a manager who had won 11 trophies across his two spells in Glasgow.

Read Jamie Braidwood’s analysis on the Celtic resignation of Brendan Rodgers:

Rodgers talked himself into trouble and Celtic chaos could lead to the unthinkable

Rodgers was accused of being ‘toxic’ and ‘divisive’ by Celtic chief Dermot Desmond in an explosive response to his resignation, which leaves an unlikely challenger in pole position for the Scottish title

Jamie Braidwood28 October 2025 18:15

How are Wrexham and Cardiff doing this season?

Wrexham, whose three consecutive promotions have been powered by the ownership of Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have finally encountered a stumbling block on their mesmeric rise through the divisions, sitting 16th in the Championship after 12 games.

Cardiff, meanwhile, are hoping to make this matchup more of a regular occurrence by returning to the second tier at the first time of asking, currently sitting top of League One off the back of relegation last term.

(PA Wire)

Will Castle28 October 2025 18:00

What's the history behind the rivalry?

Wrexham and Cardiff will reignite their north-south Wales rivalry for the first time in 21 years with a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on the line.

It’s the first time the pair have faced off in this competition in 62 years, with Wrexham eyeing quarter-final progression for the first time since the 1977/78 season.

While the two clubs sit 138 miles apart, there is a derby feel to this rarely-seen clash, pitting the capital city club against the birthplace of Welsh football.

(Getty Images)

Will Castle28 October 2025 17:20