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Preview: Bristol City vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Bristol City and Preston North End, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Preston North End will make the trip down to the West Country on Saturday for their Championship clash against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

A month has not yet passed since these two sides last met in the division. Preston emerged victorious then, winning the tie 1-0 in Lancashire.


Match preview

Bristol City's Chris Martin celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on January 10, 2021© Reuters

After an impressive start to the campaign for Bristol City that propelled them into the upper reaches of the table, Dean Holden's men struggled for form over the festive period.

The Robins are currently 10th in the table but have lost four of their last six league games, conceding nine goals along the way.

Holden's last league win came on Boxing Day, when his side edged their way past strugglers Wycombe Wanderers, winning 2-1.

Against Portsmouth in the FA Cup last weekend, The Robins initially found it difficult to break down the League One side but eventually came away with the win thanks to a late goal from Chris Martin.

Preston North End manager Alex Neil pictured in December 2020© Reuters

Having endured a rather tumultuous start to their campaign, Preston have been flying in recent weeks.

Alex Neil's side could make it four wins in five league outings if they can get the best of the Robins this weekend, a result which would see the Lilywhites leapfrog them in the table.

While the Championship is often unpredictable, to say the least, Neil can go into this contest feeling quietly confident of his side's chances.

Having won 19 points from a possible 33 so far on their travels, Preston boast one of the best away records in the division. On top of that, Neil's men have scored 30 goals so far this season, the sixth-best tally in the league.

Bristol City Championship form: WLLLWL
Bristol City form (all competitions): LLLWLW

Preston North End Championship form: LLWWWL
Preston North End form (all competitions): LWWWLW


Team News

Bristol City manager Dean Holden pictured on January 10, 2021© Reuters

Holden's men have been in the wars in recent weeks, with the team severely stricken due to injuries.

Callum O'Dowda, Nathan Baker and Steven Sessegnon are all currently absent having picked up hamstring injuries, Joseph Williams and Liam Walsh are both also out with thigh injuries, while a shin injury is keeping Jay Dasilva out.

Jamie Paterson is also unlikely to feature due to a hip injury, and Jack Hunt is a doubt having picked up a knock.

In comparison, it has not exactly been smooth sailing for the Lilywhites, who are without a number of key players too.

Ben Pearson, Patrick Bauer, Louis Moult and Billy Bodin are all unlikely to feature due to injury.

Significantly for Neil, top-goalscorer Scott Sinclair is also not expected to feature in this game as he is still out with a hamstring injury.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Mariappa, Vyner, Kalas, Rowe; Semenyo, Bakinson, Nagy, Massengo; Martin, Wells

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Rudd; Fisher, Huntington, Davies, Hughes; Bayliss, Ledson, Potts, Johnson, Barkhuizen; Maguire


SM words green background

We say: Bristol City 0-2 Preston North End

Bristol City have looked particularly toothless at times recently, and, while Preston are feeling the absence of Sinclair, we think they have what it takes to come away with all three points on Saturday.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:430454:cQx

How you voted: Bristol City vs Preston

Bristol City
32.2%
Draw
27.8%
Preston North End
40.0%
90
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Bristol City manager Dean Holden pictured on January 10, 2021
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Dean Holden hails performances of Chris Martin, Dan Bentley
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich25165435211453
2Swansea CitySwansea25138430141647
3Watford26138530181247
4Brentford24129338221645
5Reading2513573728944
6Bournemouth25119538211742
7Middlesbrough2611693024639
8Bristol City25123102727039
9Stoke CityStoke2691073128337
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn25106940281236
11Preston North EndPreston26113123133-236
12Barnsley26105112934-535
13Luton TownLuton2596102127-633
14Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2694132937-831
15Cardiff CityCardiff2586113230230
16Millwall2561272124-330
17Coventry CityCoventry2578102434-1029
18Queens Park RangersQPR2569102331-827
19Birmingham CityBirmingham2568111830-1226
20Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2567122029-925
21Derby CountyDerby2567121625-925
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham2365122632-623
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2467111525-1019
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe2336141635-1915

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