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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Swansea City and Bristol City, including team news and predicted lineups.

Two clubs that have seen their playoff hopes dwindle in recent weeks will lock horns in the Championship on Saturday as Swansea City welcome Bristol City to the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea currently occupy eighth spot - three adrift of the top six - whereas Bristol City lie 10th before the penultimate round of fixtures.


Match preview

Swansea City manager Steve Cooper pictured on June 27 2020© Reuters

Swansea missed the chance to make the end to the season even more nail-biting as Nottingham Forest rescued a point against the Swans in midweek thanks to a brace from Sammy Ameobi.

While their chances of breaking into the top six are still highly plausible, Swansea have lost some vital ground over the past couple of weeks and have now been leapfrogged by an in-form Millwall side in the table.

Three wins from seven since the Championship was allowed to resume has severely dented Swansea's playoff dream, and Steve Cooper's men must win here to keep their slim hopes alive before they take on Reading on the final day.

However, Swansea are about to come up against a Bristol City side whom they haven't beaten since the 2010-11 campaign, and the two clubs played out a goalless stalemate in the reverse fixture.

Bristol City forward Nahki Wells celebrates scoring against Middlesbrough on July 11, 2020© Reuters

Meanwhile, not many fans could have expected Bristol City's resurgence over the past few weeks, but it may be a case of too little too late for the Robins with two games left to go.

Bristol City were in a rut before Lee Johnson ultimately lost his job in the dugout, but the Robins have taken seven points from a possible nine since Dean Holden took temporary charge of the playoff outsiders.

Despite recording wins over Middlesbrough and Hull City before playing out a 1-1 stalemate with Stoke City on Wednesday, Bristol City are five points adrift of the top six and will need nothing short of a miracle to clinch a playoff spot now.

Indeed, a barren run of nine games without a win before Holden was dismissed seriously damaged the Robins' playoff ambitions, and the Bristol City faithful will most likely be resigned to another case of close but no cigar following their eighth-placed finish last term.

The Robins will be facing Preston North End on the final day of the season - another team that have fallen out of the running for a top-six finish - so Bristol City will no doubt want to end on a high note before they prioritise their search for a new manager.

Swansea City competition form: LDWWLD

Bristol City competition form: LLLWWD


Team News

Swansea City striker Rhian Brewster celebrates scoring on June 30, 2020© Reuters

Kyle Naughton was sent off for Swansea late on in the draw with Forest and will not be available for the visit of Bristol City, while Erwin Mulder will continue in goal following Freddie Woodman's hip injury in the defeat to Leeds United.

Ben Cabango is therefore expected to deputise in a back-three in place of Naughton, while fellow defenders Ben Wilmot and Joe Rodon are set to miss out with knee and ankle injuries respectively.

One positive that Swansea took from the draw with Forest was another goal for the up-and-coming Rhian Brewster, who now has three in his last four Championship outings.

As far as Bristol City are concerned, Ashley Williams is available for selection again after serving a four-match ban, and the Welshman makes a timely return following Nathan Baker's injury.

However, Zak Vyner could keep his spot in the heart of Holden's defence, while Han-Noah Massengo is an option for change in the middle of the park.

Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Mulder; Cabango, Van der Hoorn, Guehi; Roberts, Byers, Grimes, Bidwell; Celina; Brewster, Ayew

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Benkovic, Kalas, Vyner; Hunt, Massengo, Weimann, Smith, Dasilva; Wells, Diedhiou


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We say: Swansea City 2-3 Bristol City

The two clubs will certainly not want to give up hope of a top-six finish just yet, but the odds are stacked against both sides heading into the penultimate round of fixtures. That being said, Swansea are short at the back due to injuries and Bristol City are brimming with confidence right now, so we are backing a slender away win in what promises to be a fascinating affair this weekend.


ID:406691:

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Swansea City and Bristol City?

Swansea City
Draw
Bristol City
Swansea City
39.5%
Draw
18.4%
Bristol City
42.1%
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Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill pictured on July 4, 2020
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeeds UnitedLeeds46289977354293
3Brentford462491380384281
5Cardiff CityCardiff4619161168581073
6Swansea CitySwansea461816126253970
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest461816125850870
8Millwall461717125751668
9Preston North EndPreston461812165954566
10Derby CountyDerby461713166264-264
11Blackburn RoversBlackburn461712176663363
12Bristol City461712176065-563
13Queens Park RangersQPR461610206776-958
14Reading461511205958156
15Stoke CityStoke46168226268-656
16Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds461511205866-856
17Middlesbrough461314194861-1353
18Huddersfield TownHuddersfield461312215270-1851
19Luton TownLuton46149235482-2851
20Birmingham CityBirmingham461214205475-2150
21Barnsley461213214969-2049
RCharlton AthleticCharlton461212225065-1548
RWigan AthleticWigan461514175756147
RHull City46129255787-3045

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