Burton Albion will be looking to book their spot in the third round of the Carabao Cup tonight - but Nigel Clough is under no illusions as to the priority of his team and opponents Cardiff City.

The Brewers got off the mark in the Championship in their last outing, beating Birmingham City 2-1 at the Pirelli Stadium on Friday night.

Ex-Burton boss Neil Warnock, meanwhile, has seen his Bluebirds side back up an opening-day win over Albion with successive victories against Sheffield United, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Celebrations after Kenneth Zohore's late goal against Burton Albion wins it for Cardiff City
Celebrations after Kenneth Zohore's late goal against Burton Albion wins it for Cardiff City

With one league game to go before the international break, Clough believes Cardiff's focus will be on maintaining a perfect start to their league campaign as they target an unlikely return to the Premier League.

Not that he expectes the Championship's in-form side to take their foot off the gas tonight - and neither will his Burton outfit.

"We will go there and try to win," said Clough.

"But without a doubt, last Friday night and next Saturday against Sheffield Wednesday are more important.

"I'm sure Neil Warnock, being top of the league and unbeaten, will be viewing his league game at the weekend just the same.

"He'll be thinking, 'can we get the first five games with a 100 per cent record?'

"We are the other end of the table, fighting for our lives already, so we have to prioritise Sheffield Wednesday.

Marvin Sordell had the Brewers' best chance of the afternoon
Marvin Sordell had the Brewers' best chance of the afternoon

"But we'd still like to win the game. If we can get through, we'll get through and then I think we'll just be back in time for the draw."

It is not too often you will see a manager hoping for an underwhelming away support when a team is on their travels.

But Clough says he hopes that 'not many' Burton Albion fans make the 320-mile round trip to Cardiff for tonight's second-round clash, with the Brewers boss preferring to see the big numbers travel for the upcoming league game at Norwich City.

Albion have been handed another lengthy midweek journey following recent Tuesday and Wednesday-night games at Oldham Athletic and Middlesbrough, with the Canaries on the horizon just after the international break.

The Cardiff City Stadium

And while Clough says his side will be pushing to end Cardiff's unbeaten start to the campaign in all competitions and take their spot in the third round, he will not be fussed if the turnout in the away end is smaller than usual, given the expense and travel involved at this time of the season.

"It's about the best thing of the competition this year that we can use a fourth substitute if we go to extra-time," he said.

"But we'd still rather not - and it'd be another half-an-hour or 45 minutes on that journey for our supporters coming back from Cardiff.

"This is unusual, but I hope not many of them go.

"I'd rather they saved their money for later on, for other games, league games and everything.

Nigel Clough looks on as Burton Albion beat Birmingham City

"I hope not many of them spend their hard-earned money and go.

"I know fans have to make choices on which games they can go to and which they can't.

Burton Albion fans

"I'd rather they come to Norwich than Cardiff and save their money.

"It's a big expense, football these days."