Blackburn Rovers play host to Hartlepool United in the EFL Cup first round looking to build on their perfect start to the new season.

While Rovers sit at the top of the Championship standings, Hartlepool find themselves down in 20th spot in League Two after failing to win either of their opening two matches.

Match preview

With it having taken until July 21 to make a first-team signing this summer, Blackburn supporters would have had their concerns regarding their prospects for the new campaign.

However, victories over Queens Park Rangers and Swansea City may have changed that perception, Rovers also coming through both fixtures with clean sheets to their name.

Although it is still early days, Jon Dahl Tomasson could not have asked for more from his squad, and expectations are naturally growing at Ewood Park.

The Rovers hierarchy will soon have a decision to make regarding the future of Ben Brereton Diaz, who will inevitably receive bids for his signature before the end of the transfer window.

Nevertheless, Blackburn's recruitment has looked smart in recent weeks, and alternatives are likely to have been already identified in the event that the Chile international moves elsewhere.

In sharp contrast, Hartlepool will be disappointed with the outcome of their opening two fixtures as they bid to try to remain out of trouble in League Two.

Losing 4-0 at Walsall at the end of July felt catastrophic, even if there is an argument that it acted as a wake-up call ahead of their home meeting with recently-relegated AFC Wimbledon.

Holding opponents who had started the season with maximum points to a goalless draw should be regarded as a positive, and Paul Hartley will be quietly confident that his team are now heading in the right direction.

Coincidentally, these two teams locked horns as recently as July 20 as Blackburn prevailed 1-0 in a pre-season friendly in the North East.

Team News

Liverpool loanee Tyler Morton is expected to be among a number of Blackburn players who are brought into the team for Wednesday's fixture.

Jack Vale, who netted the only goal in last month's friendly, could start down the middle of the attack, while Ashley Phillips may get the nod in defence with the teenager attracting interest from Premier League clubs.

Bradley Dack is in line to feature in midfield, either alongside Morton or in a more advanced role instead of new arrival Sammie Szmodics.

Given their improvement on Saturday, Hartley may make considerably less alterations to his Hartlepool XI.

Tom Crawford and Ellis Taylor are both pushing for opportunities, while Jack Hamilton may get a chance down the centre of the attack.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Rankin-Costello, Phillips, Wharton, Edun; Morton, Dack; Hedges, Szmodics, Dolan; Vale

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
Killip; Menayese, Lacey, Murray; Tumilty, Featherstone, Crawford, Paterson; Cooke; Hastie, Hamilton

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Hartlepool United

With Tomasson almost certainly making widespread changes to his Rovers side, Hartlepool will feel like the door is slightly ajar when it comes to causing a surprise. However, the home team should still have too much quality in their ranks to earn a relatively comfortable victory.

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