These two sides are only three places apart in the league hierarchy and so with home advantage Cardiff will sniff an upset here.

Their opponents may well welcome the break from the Premier League but it will be no easy ride despite playing against lower league opposition. The Welsh club are favourites at 8/5 (Paddy Power – £100 free bets) but the bookmakers don’t see much between the clubs with Blackburn at 37/20 with Bwin (£25 free betting).

Under fire Rovers manager Steve Kean cannot buy a win in the league, with just one all season and they have only scraped through in this competition. However, in Yakubu they have found a man to get them goals and the Nigerian has six so far this season, including one in this competition. He is 13/5 with Coral to score at any time and along with Junior Hoilett (15/8 – Totesport) he represents the away side’s best hope of getting among the goals.

In contrast with Steve Kean, Cardiff’s Malky Mackay’s job must seem like plain sailing at the moment. His team are unbeaten in eight games with six wins and four clean sheets in that period. They get goals from midfield, with Peter Whittingham on eight for the season, and have great balance in the side. With Kenny Miller and Robert Earnshaw fighting it out to lead the line they have experience and strength in depth up front and Blackburn will be in for a massive test.

The away side have lost five of their six away matches in the Premier League and given their poor defence it would be no surprise to see them knocked out by the Championship side. If you don’t think they will do it in 90 minutes consider the 4/5 (Betfred) for Mackay’s side to qualify and take up their place in the semi-final.

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