Preview

 

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's pre-season clash between Bristol City and Forest Green Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bristol City will continue their preparations for the upcoming Championship season with a friendly against Forest Green Rovers.

The visitors, meanwhile, are looking to build momentum in pre-season ahead of their first-ever League One campaign.

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Match preview

Having already played three pre-season friendlies, Bristol City will welcome Forest Green Rovers and Exeter City for a double-header on Tuesday.

They will be hoping to pick up positive results from both games after avoiding defeat in their opening three friendly contests.

Cheltenham Town were beaten 2-0 in their first match of pre-season before the Robins played out a 0-0 draw against Portsmouth.

A 1-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle followed at the weekend, with Nahki Wells scoring late on to continue to build momentum.

After finishing last season with the third-worst defensive record in the Championship, Nigel Pearson will be pleased to see his side keep three consecutive clean sheets, and they will be aiming to offer another resolute performance against Forest Green and Exeter before facing Bournemouth in their final friendly on Saturday.

Forest Green have experienced a busy pre-season under the stewardship of new manager Ian Burchnall, with five matches already under their belt ahead of Tuesday's contest.

After winning League Two last season, Rovers began preparations for their first-ever season in the third-tier with a 3-0 victory over Melksham Town.

However, a step up in quality of opposition saw Forest Green fall to three consecutive defeats against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Swansea City and Coventry City.

They managed to bounce back with a 2-1 victory over Southern League Premier Division South side Swindon Supermarine at the weekend, which would have restored confidence in the Rovers' squad.

Following Saturday's win, Forest Green will now be targeting at least one positive result against EFL opposition in the next week as they wrap up their pre-season with friendlies against Bristol City and Newport County.

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Team News

With Bristol City set to play a double-header, Pearson is expected to name different starting lineups for the games against Forest Green and Exeter.

Kal Naismith and Cam Pring may not be involved in either of the fixtures after they missed Saturday's meeting with Plymouth as a precaution, and the pair are not expected to be risked on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Joe Williams and Matty James could return to the squad after they were both rested for the trip to Home Park at the weekend.

As for Forest Green, summer signings Corey O'Keefe, David Davis and Armani Little are all expected to start Tuesday's contest.

Luke McGee has kept the number one shirt for the forthcoming campaign, and the 26-year-old will feature in goal against Bristol City.

After scoring 19 league goals last season Jamille Matt will be looking to find the net in the next couple of matches.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Vyner, Klose, Atkinson; Tanner, Williams, James, Dasilva; Weimann, Conway, Martin

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; O'Keeffe, Bernard, Cargill, Boyes; Stevenson, Hendry, Little; McAllister, Matt, March

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We say: Bristol City 3-1 Forest Green Rovers

Forest Green have struggled in their previous friendlies against teams from the top two tiers of English football, and we think that they will fall short once again when they come up against a Bristol City side who are unbeaten in pre-season.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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