Two teams with opposing aims in the Championship will come together on Wednesday night as playoff-hopefuls Bristol City host relegation-threatened Stoke City at the Robins High Performance Centre.
The hosts are ninth in the standings and trail the top six by just three points, while the visitors are 18th in the standings and hold a narrow four-point lead over the drop zone.
Match preview
© Imago
Bristol City are chasing a playoff spot in the Championship as they seek promotion to the Premier League for the first time, having last played in the top flight in 1982, before the Premier League's establishment.
The Robins have had a solid season in their pursuit of that objective, currently sitting ninth in the table, just three points off the playoff spots, with 42 points from 31 matches.
Liam Manning, in charge since November 2023, has guided the side to 10 wins, 12 draws and nine losses from their 31 league outings, but his team have suffered a downturn in form over recent weeks.
Bristol City have won only one of their last six games across all competitions, five of which were Championship fixtures, a run that threatens to see the Robins fall behind in the playoff race if they fail to turn things around in the coming weeks.
Their next two matches do offer a favourable opportunity to build a winning streak, as they face relegation-threatened duo Stoke City and Cardiff City, before a crucial showdown with fellow playoff contenders Middlesbrough.
The Potters have had a difficult time since suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2017-18, failing to finish in the top half of the Championship in any of the following six seasons.
Stoke are once again poised for another bottom-half finish, with the threat of relegation looming large for the Potters, currently placed 18th in the table and just four points above the drop zone.
The visitors are already under the guidance of their third manager this season, with Mark Robins replacing Narcis Pelach, who had succeeded Steven Schumacher, and the former Coventry City boss is beginning to make his mark on the Potters.
Robins has overseen two wins, three draws and two losses in his seven games in charge, with one of those defeats coming on penalties in the FA Cup fourth round to Cardiff City, a run of results that could help Stoke avoid a relegation battle if they maintain that form for the rest of the campaign.
Stoke will look to draw confidence from their recent record against Bristol City, with the Potters winning three, drawing one and losing one of their last five meetings.
Team News
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Bristol City will be without Ayman Benarous (hamstring), Cameron Pring (muscle) and Luke McNally (leg) due to injury issues, while Joe Williams is ruled out through suspension.
The Robins will be boosted by the return of Ross McCrorie, who was suspended for their recent defeat to Swansea City, meaning Haydon Roberts is likely to shift back to the left side of the back three.
As for Stoke, Ben Wilmot (leg), Eric Bocat (calf), Jordan Thompson (leg), Lynden Gooch (leg), Million Manhoef (ligament), Sam Gallagher (hamstring) and Sol Sidibe (muscle) are all out with injury issues.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Andre Vidigal both came off with injuries in the eventual penalty loss to Cardiff City last time out, meaning Enda Stevens and Nathan Lowe may start in their place here.
Lewis Koumas scored twice in that match and is expected to keep his place on the left of the attack, with Ali Al-Hamadi anticipated to return as the starting striker.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Vyner, Dickie, Roberts; Sykes, Bird, Knight, McCrorie; Twine, Mehmeti; Wells
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Rose, Stevens; Seko, Burger; Jun-Ho, Lowe, Koumas; Al-Hamadi
We say: Bristol City 1-1 Stoke City
Despite the difference in league standings, both teams are in similar form heading into the match, suggesting a tight game that we believe will end in a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
