Bristol City host fellow promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest in their next Championship encounter as the international break makes way for the return of club football.

The pair are level on points, although Forest have a game in hand, and both will be keen to bolster their own playoff chances at the expense of the other on Saturday.

Match preview

Bristol City have been very steady performers this term, losing just once in the Championship since a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United on the opening day of the season.

A 10-match unbeaten run followed before newly-promoted Luton Town provided an unlikely bump in the road, but Lee Johnson's side have continued in the same vein since, going unbeaten in their last four league fixtures.

It has been a very gung-ho approach from City, who are the league's third-highest scorers but have shipped 21 goals in the process - the worst record in the top nine.

However, that has not mattered greatly, and the Robins find themselves just three points away from the automatic promotion places.

Nottingham Forest have also proved their own promotion credentials this term and have had a strong campaign to this point.

They are level on points with their hosts on Saturday but superior goal difference sees them place higher, thanks in part to the joint-second best defensive record in the league.

Sabri Lamouchi's side had been on a 10-game unbeaten run of their own before back-to-back defeats stunted their progress.

However, Forest have won their last two as they return to form, including a 1-0 win over bitter rivals Derby County last time out.

Bristol City form: WLWDDW
Nottingham Forest form: DWLLWW

Team News

Bristol City boss Johnson is definitely without long-term absentees Jay Dasilva and Benik Afobe ahead of this clash - two important players to the squad.

However, he could be boosted by the returns of Korey Smith and Jack Hunt from injury after both made good progress over the international break.

Forest manager Lamouchi has a number of players on the cusp of a return from injury, but it remains to be seen which will be able to feature on Saturday.

Alfa Semedo, Samba Sow, Michael Dawson, Yohan Benalouane and Carl Jenkinson are all closing in on comebacks and will be assessed ahead of this clash.

Tendayi Darikwa, however, is a long-term absentee and will not be available.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Kalas, Williams, Baker; Hunt, Brownhill, Nagy, O'Dowda, Rowe; Watkins, Weimann

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Samba; Cash, Figueiredo, Worrall, Ribeiro; Watson; Lolley, Yates, Silva, Ameobi; Grabban

We say: Bristol City 2-1 Nottingham Forest

This is likely to be a close-run affair, but Bristol City may just edge this encounter at home. Expect an entertaining clash from two very consistent performers.