Bristol City head into Saturday's Championship fixture with Reading looking to ensure that their season does not peter out during the run-in.
While the home side occupy 14th spot in the table, Reading are in 18th position as they wait to be hit by a six-point deduction.
Match preview
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Since the turn of the year, Bristol City have showed signs that they had the capabilities to emerge as dark horses for a playoff spot.
However, an eight-match undefeated streak from January onwards has been followed by just four points being accumulated from their next five games.
Their last two fixtures have ended in defeat without scoring a goal, those setbacks coming at Luton Town and Swansea City, and Nigel Pearson will recognise that promotion is now completely out of the question.
With eight matches left, Bristol City are 12 points below the playoffs and above the relegation zone, effectively leaving Pearson with the job of finding ways to continuing to motivate a team with little to play for.
Extending their unbeaten league at Ashton Gate will be mentioned, the Robins having collected 14 points from six matches on familiar territory.
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As far as Reading are concerned, everyone associated with the club knowing that their financial issues is going to lead to a six-point deduction in the near future.
If that was enforced now, Reading would sit just three points above the relegation zone, and that is the scenario which Paul Ince will have in his head ahead of this fixture.
Reading's fate remains in their own hands, yet Ince is tasked with trying to end a run of five matches without success, four of those matches ending in defeat.
On a positive note, the Royals fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Hull City last time out, providing Ince and his squad with something to build on ahead of one of their most important fixtures of the season.
Team News
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Matty James could return to the Bristol City midfield having had a further two weeks to recover from an ankle injury.
The veteran would likely replace Omar Taylor-Clarke if passed fit, while Andreas Weimann can expect to be recalled either in central midfield or further forward.
Nahki Wells may also come back into the side on the back of Bristol City misfiring versus Swansea.
Reading will have to make an alteration in defence with Liam Moore having suffered a foot injury versus Hull.
Scott Dann appears likely to deputise, while Nesta Guinness-Walker is in line to feature at left wing-back due to an injury picked up by Tom McIntyre in the same match.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Pring, Dasilva; James, Weimann; Sykes, Scott, Bell; Wells
Reading possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Holmes, Dann, Sarr; Yiadom, Ince, Hendrick, Casadei, Guinness-Walker; Carroll, Joao
We say: Bristol City 2-1 Reading
Both teams required the international break to reset ahead of the run-in, and it remains to be seen who that suited the most. With home advantage in their favour, we have to back Bristol City, albeit in a close match and where they may only prevail by the odd goal in three.
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Top tip
Darren Plant
