West Ham United will be looking to start off their campaign in this season’s Carabao Cup with a win against Championship side Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night.
The Hammers play host to Blackburn at the London Stadium as the two sides meet for the first time in this competition since 2000, when goals from Davor Suker and Paolo Di Canio earned a 2-0 win for the Hammers.
Ahead of the game, we got a detailed look at the side managed by former Denmark and Newcastle United striker Jon Dahl Tomasson from Lancs Live’s Blackburn writer Elliott Jackson.
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How have Blackburn Rovers been getting on this season?
They have defied expectations so far and sit second in the Championship after 20 matches. It's been a strange old season with no draws and an eight-game run of alternating between wins and losses.
Recent form has been more consistent though with five wins from their last six. Generally, the form at Ewood Park has been better than their efforts on the travels, though that has picked up of late.
How strong will Jon Dahl Tomasson will go? Many changes?
I think you can expect plenty of changes. Tomasson will rotate his squad after a congested run of fixtures.
The likes of Bradley Dack, Hayden Carter, John Buckley and George Hirst will all start. They have struggled for minutes in the league and Tomasson has stressed the importance of using his squad throughout the season.
Is this a game Blackburn are looking forward to or could do without?
Yes and no. The obvious priority is the Championship but especially considering Blackburn's biggest game of the season is on Sunday, an away trip to fierce rivals Burnley.
Tomasson will see this as a good opportunity to get minutes into the legs of his squad players in a competitive setting. He's had no issues using first-team players in the Under-21s so this is a better setting for them to get some match sharpness.
Burnley is the focus of everyone from the fans, to the players and probably the staff, though Tomasson would never admit it. That said, it's a good opportunity for others to impress.
Ben Brereton Diaz has previously been linked with West Ham. How has he done this season and will he play on Wednesday night?
He's been in fantastic form, scoring nine league goals already. That puts him level with four others at the top of the Championship scoring charts.
After struggling with injury in the second half of last season, the Chilean has looked back to his best. He's powerful, clinical and full of confidence right now.
I'd expect him to be on the bench but I'd be amazed if he starts. Brereton Diaz has been in the wars lately with a few knocks and bruises so this seems the ideal moment to hand him a breather.
Anything else that West Ham fans should know?
Blackburn don't do draws so expect this to be wrapped up in 90 minutes! It's now 22 games in all competitions without a draw which is verging on a club record.
Score prediction?
With Rovers likely to heavily rotate it's hard to see why West Ham's quality won't show. I don't think they will be embarrassed though so I'll go 3-1.
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