In the first round of the EFL Cup, Stockport County are set to host Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park on Tuesday.
The home side began their 2024-25 season in League One with a win against Cambridge United on August 10, while the visitors beat Derby County on August 9 in the first game of their Championship campaign.
Match preview
© Imago
The hosts kicked off their domestic season with a 2-0 win against Cambridge United, a result that has left them in second place after the first matchweek.
Stockport had 48% possession in that game but still managed to produce 22 shots and three big chances.
Although Cambridge did have 11 shots of their own, they failed to create any big chances despite having more of the ball.
Manager Dave Challinor has led the Hatters from the National League to the third tier since his appointment in November 2021, and last season his side won the League Two title.
In the 2023-24 edition of the EFL Cup, Stockport were eliminated in the first round after losing on penalties against Sheffield Wednesday on August 8, 2023.
In fact, Tuesday's game will be just the third time in 14 seasons that they have competed in the competition.
![Cody Johnson of Stockport County during the Pre-season friendly match Stockport County vs Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport, United Kingdom, on August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/cody-johnson.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Cody Johnson of Stockport County during the Pre-season friendly match Stockport County vs Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport, United Kingdom, on August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]")
© Imago
Opponents Blackburn also won on the opening day of their league campaign, with a thrilling 4-2 victory against Derby County that saw them end the day in first place.
Five of the game's six goals came either in the 67th minute or later, and in truth, both sides had numerous opportunities throughout the match.
Blackburn actually managed to produce one less shot than Derby's 12, though they did create five big chances in comparison to their opposition's one.
Boss John Eustace said after the victory that some of his side's defensive lapses were down to tired legs in the last 15 minutes, insisting that his team controlled large portions of the match.
Last season in the EFL Cup, Blackburn were knocked out in the fourth round against Chelsea after losing 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on November 1.
The Riversiders have in fact progressed from six of their last eight ties in the competition, and both losses in this run have come against Premier League teams.
Interestingly, though it was only a pre-season friendly, Blackburn defeated Stockport 1-0 on August 2 thanks to a goal from Tyrhys Dolan.
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Team News
![Blackburn Rovers defender Lewis Travis (27) during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Stockport County and Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park, Stockport, United Kingdom on August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/lewis-travis.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Blackburn Rovers defender Lewis Travis (27) during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Stockport County and Blackburn Rovers at Edgeley Park, Stockport, United Kingdom on August 2, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]")
© Imago
The hosts will hope that the injury Lewis Bate suffered against Cambridge is not too serious, but he will play no part in Tuesday's clash.
Given Stockport are set to play promotion candidates Blackpool on August 17, it would be surprising if they were to name a full strength XI.
As such, expect Jayden Fevrier, Tyler Onyango and Sam Hughes to come into the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, the visitors could also make changes on Tuesday in anticipation of their match against Norwich City on August 17.
Blackburn's Yuki Ohashi, Sammie Szmodics and Andreas Weimann could all make appearances against Stockport.
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Hinchliffe; Hughes, Horsfall, Pye, Touray; Onyango, Camps; Fevrier, Collar, Bailey; Wootton
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Hilton; Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Travis, Tronstad; Szmodics, Dolan, Weimann; Ohashi
We say: Stockport County 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
Although Stockport will look to use the home crowd to their advantage, it is difficult to ignore the fact they are one division below Blackburn.
Additionally, the visitors' stronger record in the EFL Cup should make them favourites ahead of Tuesday's match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
