Bristol City play host to Burnley on Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to catapult themselves up the Championship table.
Although there are six places separating these two sides, the Robins sit just five points adrift of the visitors who are in fourth position.
Match preview
© Imago
Although Burnley only sit four points behind leaders Sunderland, the pressure was growing on Scott Parker ahead of their final game before the international break.
The Englishman - already with two promotions at different clubs to his name - has failed to make the most of the talented squad at his disposal, the Clarets having gone into the fixture with Swansea City on a four-game winless streak.
However, Jay Rodriguez's last-gasp penalty to earn a 1-0 victory over the Welsh side has brought Parker some time to put together the kind of form that occurred at the start of the season.
While Burnley have failed to net a goal from open play for four fixtures, only positives can be taken from their sensational defensive record.
Just six goals have been conceded in 15 games, the foundations having been laid for a title push if they can improve their fortunes at the other end of the pitch.
Bristol City may be sitting down in 10th position but Liam Manning's side are currently one of the form teams in the division.
Only one defeat has been posted in 10 games, with that coming at home to promotion contenders Sheffield United through conceding twice from the 86th minute onwards.
Either side of that, the Robins have recorded away successes at Preston North End and Norwich City, the latter far more notable with the Canaries' losing their 21-game unbeaten run at Carrow Road.
That 2-0 success has left Bristol City just nine points from top spot, emphasising the opportunity that awaits them on Saturday as they bid to emerge as a promotion dark horse.
Nevertheless, Manning's side have posted just two wins from seven games at Ashton Gate, albeit with four draws.
Team News
© Imago
Manning has the option of restoring Rob Dickie to the Bristol City defence after serving a suspension.
However, he may prefer to stick with the players and 3-4-3 formation that stunned Norwich before the international break, barring any further fitness issues.
Scott Twine and Mark Sykes could each return to the squad after injury, but another six players remain on the sidelines.
Although he scored the winner from the penalty spot against Swansea, Jay Rodriguez could stay among the Burnley replacements.
While Bashir Humphreys, Josh Laurent and Hannibal Mejbri are all options in defence and midfield, Parker may be content to stick with the same starting lineup from the previous game.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Vyner, McNally, Pring; Earthy, McGuane, Knight, Roberts; Bird, Wells, Mehmeti
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Pires; Cullen, Brownhill; Anthony, Sarmiento, Koleosho; Flemming
We say: Bristol City 1-2 Burnley
With both teams having posted crucial wins in their own right last time out, they will be confident of building on it at Ashton Gate. However, we are backing Burnley to edge this contest, Parker knowing his side have to change something up in the final third.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
