Cardiff City boss Mark Hudson makes four changes to the side who managed to hold Coventry City to a goalless draw on 29 December.

The major alteration appears to be tactical, with Jack Simpson recalled as Cardiff seemingly switch to a back three.

Simpson starts for the first time since being sent off in Cardiff's 3-0 defeat at QPR on 19 October.

Tom Sang replaces the injured Mahlon Romeo, while Gavin Whyte and Mark Harris also come into the starting XI in place of Jaden Philogene and Rubin Colwill, who drop to the bench.

Sang and Callum O'Dowda look set to play as wing-backs.

Top scorer Callum Robinson starts after passing a late fitness test, but Kion Etete misses out through injury.

Cardiff: Allsop, Sang, Ng, Kipre, Simpson, O'Dowda; Ralls (capt), Wintle; Whyte, Robinson, Harris.

Subs: Ojo, Nelson, Philogene, R Colwill, Luthra, Rinomhota, Davies.

Image source, Getty Images

Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson makes just one change from the side beaten at home by Middlesbrough less than 72 hours ago.

Rovers are without the suspended John Buckley, who was sent off against Boro, so Jake Garrett is recalled.

Garrett, 19, starts for the first time since Rovers' 3-0 defeat to bitter rivals Burnley on 13 November.

Blackburn: Kaminski; Rankin-Costello, Ayala, Hyam (capt), Pickering; Morton, Garrett; Hedges, Dack, Brereton Diaz; Gallagher.

Subs: Pears, Edun, S Wharton, Markanday, Travis, Vale, A Wharton.

Image source, Getty Images

Good morning all, how are your heads?

A happy new year to you all, may 2023 bring you all that you wish.

Well, I mean, it already has, hasn't it? Because what more could you wish for than a day packed full of EFL action.

New year, new hope, new beginnings, a chance for us all to dream this is the year for our football team.

Today we kick off with a game between two sides separated by 11 points, but a whopping 17 places in the Championship.

Do you know what is really crazy? Blackburn, who are third, have lost more games this season - 12 - than 20th-placed Cardiff, who have been defeated only 11 times.

Explain that one!

Anyway, I'll bring you more observations and maybe even a few stats, but first, let's have a look at those teams, shall we?

Image source, Getty Images