Bristol City and Coventry City lock horns in the Championship on Saturday with both teams sitting on the same points in the standings.
Despite putting together differing periods of form, the two clubs occupy 14th and 13th place respectively, just three points adrift of the playoff spots.
Match preview
Inconsistency does not come as a surprise to Bristol City supporters anymore, yet they will be frustrated with their side losing their way before the international break.
Three defeats came from their four matches - their solitary win coming against 23rd-placed Rotherham United - and Nigel Pearson will know that his players need to get back on track as soon as possible.
In their defence, two of the losses in question were away at Leicester City and Leeds United, but they also succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at home to a poor Stoke City outfit.
Still just three points below the top six, all is not lost for a team that possess one of the better defensive records in the division, a total of 13 goals being shipped in 11 games.
Nevertheless, this is a side that has kept just one clean sheet in nine outings - not ideal when goals have sometimes proven to be an issue.
As for Coventry, there are signs that the Sky Blues are on the up with eight points having been accumulated from their most recent four outings.
After victories over Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn Rovers, Coventry were able to score a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Norwich City last time out.
Like their opponents, Coventry now sit within touching distance of the playoff spots, and Mark Robins will be confident that they can register a second away victory in succession.
That said, this remains a team that have won just three of their 11 matches in the 2023-24 second tier - drawing six - despite scoring in their most recent eight league encounters.
Team News
Andreas Weimann could be drafted back into the Bristol City XI after his recent appearances from the substitutes' bench.
Jason Knight is likely to be the player to drop out of the side in what may prove to be the only alteration made by Pearson.
Robins could tinker with his Coventry starting lineup with Milan van Ewijk back in contention after a short spell on the sidelines.
Joel Latibeaudiere and Matt Godden are also pushing for recalls, with Liam Kitching and Haji Wright potentially dropping out.
The likes of Liam Kelly, Ben Sheaf and Kasey Palmer all remain on the sidelines through injuries.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Gardner-Hickman, Dickie, Naismith, Pring; Weimann, Williams, James; Sykes, Wells, Bell
Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; Thomas, McFadzean, Latibeaudiere; Van Ewijk, Eccles, Ayari, Dasilva; Allen; Simms, Godden
We say: Bristol City 1-2 Coventry City
A number of weeks ago, Bristol City would have been favourites to edge this contest, but the pendulum has swung in Coventry' favour. Although we anticipate a closely-fought contest, the visitors may just edge this fixture in the latter stages.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
