Bristol City welcome Preston North End to Ashton Gate in a rearranged Sky Bet Championship clash.
Victory will see Nigel Pearson’s Robins climb to 11th, whereas a win would see Preston improve into the top six and go fifth.
Team News
Joe Williams is available for Bristol City after serving an one-match suspension in Saturday’s 3-0 loss at Birmingham City.
Kal Naismith (calf) and Matty James (groin) remain absent.
Preston will be without Troy Parrott after he suffered a hamstring injury in their win at Norwich on Saturday.
Several unspecified players are doubtful due to a sickness bug over the last few days.
Stat Attack
- Bristol City have avoided defeat in six of last seven meetings against Preston (W1, D5, L1).
- Preston have lost just one of their last eight visits to Ashton Gate (W5, D2, L1).
- A goalless draw would mark the first time that Bristol City have drawn 0-0 at home to Preston in consecutive meetings since doing so in November 1980 and October 1981.
- All four of Bristol City’s clean sheets this season have been achieved at home, during which three of those four games were won by a 2-0 result.
- Four of Preston’s eight clean sheets in the Championship this season were achieved away from Deepdale, although they won just one of those four particular away games (W1, D3).
Prediction
Following a lacklustre display in which their defending was just poor – especially in terms of marking the oppositional players, Bristol City have to simply produce a reaction if want to reignite their play-off charge and play better across all aspects of the game.
Preston meanwhile seem to have finally found their groove after a solid if unspectacular start to the season, having won their last two matches although they did show great spirit to come from behind to eventually beat Norwich in an open battle.
Now if the visitors bring that spirit and momentum to Ashton Gate and get on the front foot quickly, I do fear for Bristol City if their marking isn’t improved given their poor home form in this fixture but squad rotation could offer them some hope of a result.
I though do fancy Preston to get the win because they are certainly a difficult team to beat but the first goal will be crucial.
Prediction: Bristol City 1-2 Preston North End
Result: Bristol City 2-1 Preston North End
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