Play-Off chasing Bristol City meet relegation-battling Preston in a major final-day clash with implications at opposite ends of the Championship table.
Victory would be enough for Bristol City to secure fifth place and a play-off spot, although a draw would be enough for them if results elsewhere go their way.
Preston simply will stay up with a win but a draw might be enough if Derby, Luton and Hull all win elsewhere due to the Lilywhites’ better goal difference over Stoke – with the Potters away to Derby in their final game.
Defeat could also be enough for Preston to survive if at least one if not both of Luton and Hull lose elsewhere.
Team News
Scott Twine is a doubt for Bristol City due to a groin injury which he has managed in recent months.
Cam Pring (hamstring) is unlikely to feature but Ayman Benarous (fitness) isn’t expected to be available.
Luke McNally (ACL), Harry Cornick (hamstring) and Mark Sykes (quad) remain ruled out.
Preston could welcome Sam Greenwood back after he missed their last two matches with a hamstring injury.
Ali McCann, Will Keane, Jack Whatmough (calf), Mads Frokjaer, Brad Potts (both hamstring) and Freddie Woodman (ankle) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Bristol City host Preston at Ashton Gate on Saturday 3 May at 12:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports+ in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Bristol City have lost one of their last eight meetings against Preston (W4, D3, L1).
- Preston are winless in their last five visits to Bristol City (D3, L2).
- Both Bristol City and Preston have scored in five of their last six meetings – except for a 2-0 home win to Preston in January 2024.
- Bristol City have won each of their last four home games by 2-1 results (W4), during which Nakhi Wells scored in three of those four matches.
- Preston have picked up just one point in their last six away games (D1, L5).
Prediction
After their 4-0 humiliation at Leeds on Monday night, Bristol City simply need to put that performance aside and produce a strong reaction given their recent home performances with their fate in their own hands.
Preston meanwhile weren’t clinical enough against Plymouth despite their dominance and Ashton Gate is probably the worst place possible to come to on the final day, especially given their poor form here and on the road in recent weeks and needing Portsmouth to now do them a favour.
Given what is at stake at both ends of the table, there will certainly be a lot of nerves and the crowds will surely play their part but if Preston can be more clinical then I can see them getting a draw to set up a nervy wait at full time.
Prediction: Bristol City 1-1 Preston
Result: Bristol City 2-2 Preston
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