Carabao Cup Preview | Blackburn Rovers vs. Cardiff City

Cardiff City travel to Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup third round, 7.45pm KO.

OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT

Blackburn Rovers’ manager is former Denmark international Jon Dahl Tomasson, who has been in charge since June 2022.

In his playing career, Tomasson represented some big clubs in Europe, including Newcastle United, Feyenoord, AC Milan and Villarreal.

The striker also had an impressive record at international level, netting a fine tally of 52 goals in 112 matches for Denmark.

Since switching to management, Tomasson has had spells in the Netherlands with Excelsior and Roda JC, before a successful time in Sweden with Malmö FF, winning the Allsvenskan on two occasions.

Last season, Tomasson led Blackburn Rovers to a seventh placed finish, missing out on the play-offs on goal difference.

OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR

Rovers opened their Carabao Cup campaign with a seven-goal thriller against Walsall, in which Blackburn came out 4-3 winners.

In the second round against League Two outfit Harrogate Town, Tomasson’s side put in a clinical performance to claim an emphatic 8-0 win.

In the Championship, Rovers have claimed three wins from their opening eight matches.

Currently mid-table in the second-tier, Blackburn head into Wednesday night’s fixture on the back of a 4-3 defeat to Ipswich Town.

OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER

Rovers’ standout player this season has been playmaker Sammie Szmodics.

The 27-year-old began his career at Colchester United, where he made an impression, signing for Bristol City in 2019.

After a short spell with the Robins, Szmodics moved on to Peterborough United, where he found regular goal-scoring form.

Since joining Blackburn Rovers in 2022, the attacking midfielder has shown his ability and has started this season positively.

Szmodics has five league goals to his name this term.

CLUB CONNECTION | NATHAN BLAKE

Representing both Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers during his career was Nathan Blake.

Starting his career at youth level for Chelsea, Blake moved to City and broke into the first team in the 1990/91 season, becoming a fans’ favourite at the Club.

The striker was part of the side that won Division Three in 1993, with Blake scoring 40 league goals in 131 appearances for City.

After spells at Sheffield United and Bolton Wanderers, Blake spent three seasons at Blackburn Rovers between 1998 and 2001.

The move was Blake’s third switch to the Premier League, signing for a reported fee of £4.25 million.

During his time with Rovers, the striker netted 16 league goals in 55 appearances.