Ipswich Town make the trip to Bristol City on Wednesday night looking to keep pace with Leicester City at the top of the Championship table.
At a time when the visitors sit in second position, the home side have recently moved into eighth spot courtesy of two wins from their last three fixtures.
Match preview
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Prior to the international break, Bristol City had lost some momentum, a consequence of succumbing in three of their most recent four matches in the second tier.
However, each of those defeats came by one-goal margins and two versus the likes of Leicester and Leeds United, leaving Nigel Pearson in a position where he may have felt that he did not need to over-react.
In response, Bristol City recorded a 1-0 victory over Coventry at the weekend, with Rob Dickie netting the only goal of the game just before half time.
That result represented just the second home league win of the season for the Robins, while they kept a first clean sheet in six matches.
Bristol City now sit just a point behind the top six and four points adrift of third-placed Leeds, highlighting that their supporters should feel more than satisfied with an encouraging opening to the campaign.
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The same can be said of Ipswich, who continue to hold a sizeable advantage in the automatic promotion spots despite being without a game at the weekend.
Friday night's encounter at Rotherham United was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, leaving the Tractor Boys out of action since October 7.
Kieran McKenna may have concerns that his Ipswich players could be somewhat rusty heading into this contest, but they still possess one of the best records in English football during 2023-24.
Just one defeat has been registered in all competitions, while Ipswich find themselves on a nine-game undefeated run in all competitions, seven of those encounters ending in victory.
That said, McKenna and his squad watched Leicester move five points clear in top spot at the weekend, and they are under pressure to keep within touching distance of the dominant Foxes.
Team News
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Pearson seems likely to revert to a back four after Haydon Roberts struggled to impress at left-back in a back five on Saturday.
Jason Knight was introduced before half time to add to the midfield, and that could prove to be the only alteration.
Kal Naismith and Joe Williams are again expected to miss out for Bristol City.
Wes Burns is sidelined for Ipswich after suffering a shoulder injury while playing for Wales against Gibraltar two weeks ago.
Kayden Jackson is expected to deputise on the right flank, although he had already been in contention courtesy of his goal against Preston last time out.
Barring any further injury issues, the rest of the side may stay the same, with Omari Hutchinson having to remain patient for regular game time in the league.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Gardner-Hickman, Dickie, King, Pring; Weimann, James, Sykes, Knight, Bell; Conway
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Hladky; Williams, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Luongo; Jackson, Chaplin, Broadhead; Hirst
We say: Bristol City 1-3 Ipswich Town
Although Bristol City are on a high from their win over Coventry, Ipswich are well-rested and full of confidence themselves. While the extended break may mean that there are some cobwebs to blow away, we still expect the Tractor Boys to secure another three points.
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Top tip
Darren Plant
