Third faces fifth as Bristol City host Watford in the Championship on Wednesday night for the first time since 2013.

The Robins and the Hornets come into this fixture unbeaten from their last three league matches and both could go top of the table with a victory.

Match preview

Bristol City are in good spirits after Famara Diedhiou came off the bench to score 12 minutes from time to secure a narrow 1-0 win over Derby County.

Dean Holden's side have now won three successive league matches and currently sit in third place, one point behind Norwich City at the top of the table.

The Robins had not won their previous three home games and had only kept three clean sheets in their last 20 home games prior to the visit of Derby County.

Bristol City now face a Watford side who have only won one of their last six away matches in the Championship this campaign.

A fourth successive league victory on Wednesday night would see the Robins top of the table if both Norwich City and Bournemouth fail to win.

Watford dropped two points on Saturday as Queens Park Rangers midfielder Ilias Chair cancelled out Ben Wilmot's early strike to secure a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road.

The Hornets' defensive solidity seems to have cracked in recent weeks, which has led to Vladimir Ivic's side winning just two of their last six matches.

After not conceding a goal in four of their opening five league matches, Watford have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven games, conceding nine goals in the process.

Despite that, the Hornets are just two points off top spot and have lost just one of their last eight league matches.

Watford have also only lost one of their last 11 away league games against Bristol City – winning three and drawing the other seven – though their last visit came in January 2013 which was a 2-0 defeat.

Victory on Wednesday would see the Hornets jump above Bristol City and move onto 25 points from 13 Championship matches.

Bristol City Championship form: DLLWWW

Watford Championship form: DDLWWD

Team News

Dean Holden may match Watford and play a 3-5-2 formation, with Taylor Moore coming in to the starting lineup at centre-back.

Striker Famara Diedhiou could be handed a start after he scored from the bench against Derby at the weekend.

Former Watford defender Adrian Mariappa, who recently signed for Bristol City on a free transfer and was an unused substitute on Saturday, is set to be in the matchday squad but is unlikely to start.

Watford duo Christian Kabasele and Tom Cleverly were both absent at the weekend and remain doubtful for the trip to Bristol.

Midfielder James Garner could be recalled to the starting lineup, while Ismaila Sarr should be the man to partner Joao Pedro up top.

Striker Andre Gray, who has been directly involved in five goals in three league appearances against Bristol City – scoring four and providing one assist – is set to be dropped to the substitutes bench.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Vyner, Moore, Kalas; Hunt, Paterson, Nagy, Brunt, Rowe; Didhiou, Wells

Watford possible starting lineup:
Foster; Troost-Ekong, Cathcart, Wilmot; Femenia, Garner, Capoue, Chalobah, Sema; Sarr, Pedro

We say: Bristol City 1-1 Watford

Wednesday night will see two sides at the top end of the table battle it out in what should be a tight encounter at Ashton Gate. Despite Watford's desire to reach the Championship summit, Bristol City are likely to make it difficult for the visitors, which could see the points shared.

Top betting tip

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