Two teams eyeing up playoff positions in the Championship face off this weekend when Bristol City host Watford on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts are currently four points clear of the Hornets in the standings heading into this match, so there is plenty at stake for both sides this weekend.
Match preview
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Bristol City's seven-match unbeaten streak in the league was brought to an end last weekend as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor.
Zian Flemming netted the only goal of the match as the Clarets strengthened their chances of automatic promotion back to the Premier League in a tight encounter.
That result left City outside the playoff positions on goal difference, with West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough both on the same number of points as the Robins.
Should results go in their favour this weekend, the hosts could move into the playoff places, and with the season nearing its conclusion, that is exactly where they will want to be.
Liam Manning's men have exceeded expectations this season in challenging for promotion, having finished 11th last year.
This is Manning's first full season in charge at the club, having been appointed as Nigel Pearson's permanent replacement back in November 2023.
His team will fancy their chances this weekend, as they currently have the fifth-best home record in the Championship, and they have only lost three games at Ashton Gate all season in the league.
Indeed, the Robins are unbeaten in their last four home matches, and with four of their last seven league games in front of their own fans, they will believe that they have a serious chance of reaching the playoffs.
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In contrast, Watford's record on the road is far from perfect, and with only four wins away from home all season, they will be welcome visitors this weekend.
With just one victory in their last five matches, the Hornets have hit a sticky patch at a crunch time in their campaign.
Their goalless draw at home to rock-bottom Plymouth Argyle last weekend highlighted their flaws in front of goal in recent weeks.
The visitors have netted only twice in their past five matches, despite all of those games coming against sides currently in the bottom half of the Championship table.
This weekend, they will be searching for only their third away win in 2025, as they look to move to within a point of the Robins in the standings.
Four of Watford's remaining seven matches in the league are away from home, so if they are to find a route into the playoffs this season, then their form on the road will certainly need to improve.
The Hornets will be hoping for a similar result to the last meeting between the two sides, as Ryan Andrews scored the only goal in a close encounter between the clubs at Vicarage Road back in November.
Team News
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Bristol City will be without both Luke McNally and Ayman Benarous for the rest of the campaign due to ACL injuries.
Elsewhere, George Tanner remains sidelined due to a knee injury, while Ross McCrorie returned to action from the bench last weekend, and is in contention once again for this match.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be boosted by the return of Udinese loanee James Abankwah, as the Irish defender returns from a one-match ban following his dismissal against Oxford United last month.
Elsewhere, Angelo Ogbonna, Kevin Keben, Amin Nabizada and Mamadou Doumbia (hamstring) are all not expected to feature due to injury.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Pring, Dickie, Vyner; Roberts, Bird, Knight, Sykes; Mehmeti, Armstrong, Twine
Watford possible starting lineup:
Selvik; Andrews, Sierralta, Abankwah, Wiley; Louza, Dele-Bashiru, Sissoko, Chakvetadze, Vata; Bayo
We say: Bristol City 2-1 Watford
The hosts have been excellent at home this season, and we expect them to edge a close game this weekend.
With playoff dreams on the line for both clubs, it should be an entertaining match, and as Watford do not win many away from home, we think that Bristol City will claim all three points here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
