Cardiff City host Matt Taylor's Bristol Rovers in the First Round of the Carabao Cup.
The Opposition:
Bristol Rovers had a fairly inconsistent 23/24 season. The Gas began the season with Joey Barton, however parted ways in October after a shaky start. After a handful of games with Andy Mangan as Caretaker Manager, Barton's successor was found, former Rotherham boss Matt Taylor. Rovers would go onto end the season sixteenth in League One.
Rovers have looked to address last season's mediocre finish with the additions of Josh Griffiths from West Brom, Promise Omochere from Fleetwood, Isaac Hutchinson from Walsall, Ruel Sotiriou from Leyton Orient, Clinton Mola from Reading, Joel Senior from Morecambe, Jake Garrett from Blackburn, Micah Anthony from QPR, Michael Forbes from West Ham, Taylor Moore from Valenciennes and Bryant Bilongo from Middlesbrough.
Taylor's sides often concedes possession and line up with a counter-attacking system, with the focus being getting the ball down the flanks. The 42 year-old used a 4-2-3-1 last season, however looks to have switched to a back three for the new season.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff come into this one on the back of a frustrating defeat against Sunderland. City controlled the game for large periods but failed to make anything of it, with a touch of slowness letting The Bluebirds down.
It's likely to be different personnel, but Cardiff will likely control possession again in this one. As shown in these two sides friendly a couple of weeks ago, Cardiff will have to be composed and play around the Gas' aggressive press. This means the midfielders will be important in this one.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Isaak Davies, Jamilu Collins, Kion Etete and Ryotaro Tsunoda are all out with injuries.
Bristol Rovers - Chris Martin is suspended for The Gas. Jack Hunt and Ruel Sotiriou missed out last time out due to injury.
Preferred XI:
GK - Jak Alnwick
RB - Raheem Conte
RCB - Malachi Fagan-Walcott
LCB - Joel Bagan
LB - Luey Giles
CDM - Eli King
RCM - David Turnbull
LCM - Alex Robertson
RW - Rubin Colwill
LW - Cian Ashford
ST - Wilfried Kanga
Prediction:
Cardiff City 1-1 Bristol Rovers
Penalty shootout? Go on then.
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