Preview: Coventry City vs. Bristol City - prediction, team news, lineups

Coventry City welcome Bristol City to the Ricoh Arena on Saturday afternoon looking for the victory which would keep them in the top six of the Championship standings.

Meanwhile, the Robins head into this fixture on the back of four defeats in five games, a run of form which has left the visitors down in 19th position.

Match preview

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In a league such as the Championship, unbeaten home records are a rarity, and Coventry deserve credit for putting together a seven-match run before losing to Swansea City.

The Sky Blues paid the price for conceding two early goals against in-form Swansea City, Kyle McFadzean's 27th-minute goal eventually proving to be nothing more than a consolation.

Nevertheless, Coventry remain in fourth position in the table with 27 points from 16 matches, far greater than Mark Robins's realistic expectations ahead of the campaign.

Despite continuing their stay in the lofty heights of the division, Coventry are just six points ahead of 15th-placed Preston North End, a scenario which should help them retain their focus in the long term.

Viktor Gyokeres has lost his way in front of goal over recent weeks, the leading marksman having failed to net in five league games since the October international break.

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As far as Bristol City are concerned, Nigel Pearson has been left requiring a big performance from his team to keep down the pressure in the Robins dugout.

Just days after finally ending his side's 10-month wait for a victory at Ashton Gate, Pearson witnessed Bristol City succumb tamely to Birmingham City at St Andrew's.

Five defeats have now been registered in seven games, and a sixth being added to their record may lead to discussions being held behind the scenes.

Although Bristol City were clear second-best on the first of two visits to the Midlands this week, they still possess the fifth-best away record in the Championship.

Team News

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Despite the disappointment of midweek, Robins will give consideration to naming an unchanged Coventry XI.

However, Ben Sheaf and Tyler Walker are both alternatives in midfield and attack respectively.

Pearson will almost certainly make several changes to this Bristol City starting lineup with Nahki Wells potentially dropping out of the team.

Callum O'Dowda could get the nod in his place, while Matty James is likely to miss out after suffering a recurrence of a foot injury in midweek.

Han-Noah Massengo is in line to take his spot in the centre of midfield.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Moore; Hyam, McFadzean, Clarke-Salter; Dabo, Sheaf, Hamer, Maatsen; O'Hare; Godden, Gyokeres

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Kalas, Vyner, Atkinson; Tanner, Massengo, Bakinson, Dasilva; Weimann, O'Dowda; Martin

We say: Coventry City 2-1 Bristol City

To a certain degree, Bristol City may as well throw caution to the wind against opponents with such a strong home record. Nevertheless, while that may benefit them during periods of the game, we still expect Coventry to prevail with maximum points.

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