Last chance for some Robins: Bristol City expected team to face Preston North End
Our City writer on the likely side to play on Wednesday evening
Bristol City's woeful record of late against Preston North End needs little introduction or reminding: no wins in 13 against the side from Deepdale.
And though nothing rides on the final Championship game of this season, the Robins would dearly love to overturn that record, end the season with three wins in their last five games and give momentum ahead of starting afresh in September, as is likely currently.
Interim head coach Dean Holden sees out the final game of his short tenure ahead of a club announcement on the next permanent appointment. And it was refreshing to hear Holden say in the pre-match press conference that stability and a settled side has been his priority since taking over from Lee Johnson, a weakness of the previous 'gaffer'.
"What I've tried to do, is to get a settled system and a settled group of players to see if we can build momentum, build some confidence, and we've seen four really strong performances," he explained. That has worked and led to better performances indeed and hence better results of late.
City fans would dearly love another on Wednesday, even if a top half finish in the English second tier is all that greets them afterwards. And it could prove the last chance for several players to net a new deal or even another loan in BS3 next season, with some 11 players' futures being up in the air this summer, either due to being out of contract or having just a year left (Famara Diedhiou, Niclas Eliasson, Nathan Baker, Ashley Williams, Korey Smith, Pedro Pereira, Benik Afobe, Filip Benkovic, Tommy Rowe, Niki Maenpaa, Liam Walsh).
Here's our Bristol City writer's predicted side for the game...
Defence
Bentley continued his good form of late at the Liberty Stadium and, with Niki Maenpaa out injured, there will be no change in goal. Jojo Wollacott will be on the bench.
A back three of Zak Vyner, Ashley Williams and Tomas Kalas will likely play at the back again, giving Vyner and Williams the further chance to impress, though Nathan Baker could be recalled if fit enough with a groin problem, though that is unlikely.
We foresee Pedro Pereira getting the chance to shine on the right and Jay Dasilva carrying on down the left flank, though Tommy Rowe could be handed some game time.
Midfield
While there is an argument for keeping things fresh in midfield, Korey Smith, Jamie Paterson and Andi Weimann have been superb of late and all three played well at Swansea. They should be retained for this final game, though Kasey Palmer may get more game time, and Adam Nagy too.
Han-Noah Massengo is fit but, like last Saturday, we don't see him breaking into the team currently.
Callum O'Dowda could be recalled to add energy to the midfield.
Attack
Nahki Wells will be joined by either Benik Afobe or Famara Diedhiou - and we suggest Diedhiou, after he started on the bench on Saturday.
This could well be the last we see of the Senegalese striker who is wanted by other clubs and who has a year to go on his contract.
Afobe is bound to feature from the bench if not starting, however, while Niclas Eliasson could well appear from the bench in the game too.
Predicted Bristol City XI: Bentley; Vyner, Williams, Kalas; Pereira, Smith, Weimann, Paterson, Dasilva; Wells, Diedhiou.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/last-chance-robins-bristol-city-4351253
Our City writer on the likely side to play on Wednesday evening
Bristol City's woeful record of late against Preston North End needs little introduction or reminding: no wins in 13 against the side from Deepdale.
And though nothing rides on the final Championship game of this season, the Robins would dearly love to overturn that record, end the season with three wins in their last five games and give momentum ahead of starting afresh in September, as is likely currently.
Interim head coach Dean Holden sees out the final game of his short tenure ahead of a club announcement on the next permanent appointment. And it was refreshing to hear Holden say in the pre-match press conference that stability and a settled side has been his priority since taking over from Lee Johnson, a weakness of the previous 'gaffer'.
"What I've tried to do, is to get a settled system and a settled group of players to see if we can build momentum, build some confidence, and we've seen four really strong performances," he explained. That has worked and led to better performances indeed and hence better results of late.
City fans would dearly love another on Wednesday, even if a top half finish in the English second tier is all that greets them afterwards. And it could prove the last chance for several players to net a new deal or even another loan in BS3 next season, with some 11 players' futures being up in the air this summer, either due to being out of contract or having just a year left (Famara Diedhiou, Niclas Eliasson, Nathan Baker, Ashley Williams, Korey Smith, Pedro Pereira, Benik Afobe, Filip Benkovic, Tommy Rowe, Niki Maenpaa, Liam Walsh).
Here's our Bristol City writer's predicted side for the game...
Defence
Bentley continued his good form of late at the Liberty Stadium and, with Niki Maenpaa out injured, there will be no change in goal. Jojo Wollacott will be on the bench.
A back three of Zak Vyner, Ashley Williams and Tomas Kalas will likely play at the back again, giving Vyner and Williams the further chance to impress, though Nathan Baker could be recalled if fit enough with a groin problem, though that is unlikely.
We foresee Pedro Pereira getting the chance to shine on the right and Jay Dasilva carrying on down the left flank, though Tommy Rowe could be handed some game time.
Midfield
While there is an argument for keeping things fresh in midfield, Korey Smith, Jamie Paterson and Andi Weimann have been superb of late and all three played well at Swansea. They should be retained for this final game, though Kasey Palmer may get more game time, and Adam Nagy too.
Han-Noah Massengo is fit but, like last Saturday, we don't see him breaking into the team currently.
Callum O'Dowda could be recalled to add energy to the midfield.
Attack
Nahki Wells will be joined by either Benik Afobe or Famara Diedhiou - and we suggest Diedhiou, after he started on the bench on Saturday.
This could well be the last we see of the Senegalese striker who is wanted by other clubs and who has a year to go on his contract.
Afobe is bound to feature from the bench if not starting, however, while Niclas Eliasson could well appear from the bench in the game too.
Predicted Bristol City XI: Bentley; Vyner, Williams, Kalas; Pereira, Smith, Weimann, Paterson, Dasilva; Wells, Diedhiou.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/last-chance-robins-bristol-city-4351253
