‘New’ kick-off time for Bristol City vs. Sunderland – prediction, team news, lineups
Bristol City will look to consolidate their position in the Championship playoff places when they welcome Sunderland to Ashton Gate on Good Friday.
This fixture could end up being one of the playoff matchups, if City maintain their position in fifth, with Sunderland almost guaranteed to finish fourth.
Match preview
Bristol City added another point to the board last weekend, drawing 1-1 away to Queen’s Park Rangers, keeping them in fifth heading into the Easter schedule.
Over the last 10 games in the Championship, only Burnley have taken more points than the Robins’ tally of 19, helping them to open up a four-point buffer on the sides outside the playoffs.
It will not be a straightforward finish for Liam Manning’s men though, facing Sunderland and Leeds United, as well as a Luton Town side fighting for their lives at the bottom.
Therefore, Manning will hope his side can reproduce another excellent home performance that has contributed to them picking up 16 points from their last six games at Ashton Gate.
The hosts can fall back on some good omens ahead of this clash too, because they have won three in a row on Good Friday, and are unbeaten in four games against Sunderland.
That should not worry Sunderland though, because they have a decent record at Ashton Gate, only losing on one of their last four trips, winning twice, which is as many victories as they had enjoyed in the 15 games prior.
The Black Cats are one of few clubs with nothing left to play for in the final four games of the season, as fourth place is sealed with the gaps to third and fifth place both substantial.
For Regis Le Bris’s men, it is now a matter of preparing for the playoffs, where Bristol City could await, so this may be an opportunity for a dress rehearsal, but any one of five clubs are still in contention to finish fifth.
The visitors will hope to respond following an underwhelming home defeat to Swansea City last weekend, meaning Sunderland have now gone two games without a goal, and finding the net has been an issue over the past few months.
Over the last 10 games, only Luton (seven) have scored fewer goals than Le Bris’s side (eight), so with some favourable fixtures ahead against Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United and QPR, Sunderland will hope to build some momentum ahead of the playoffs.
Bristol City Championship form:
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Sunderland Championship form:
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Team News
Bristol City have a largely fit squad to choose from in this one, with Luke McNally the only first-team regular currently sidelined due to a knee injury.
Ayman Benarous is also missing for the hosts with a serious hamstring injury that has kept him out for the entire season.
Sunderland are not quite as fortunate, with Le Bris currently dealing with many injury issues, the most notable regarding defensive pair Dennis Cirkin and Dan Ballard.
Aji Alese and Niall Huggins are also absent at the back, while Liverpool loanee Jayden Danns is yet to feature since joining the club in January.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O’Leary; Vyner, Dickie, Pring; Hirakawa, Williams, Knight, McCrorie; Bird, Wells, Earthy
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O’Nien, Hjelde; Neil, Rigg, Browne; Roberts, Isidor, Le Fee
We say: Bristol City 1-1 Sunderland
Bristol City are going along nicely and are best placed to finish in one of the two remaining playoff places up for grabs, but they do have a testing run to finish the regular season.
Sunderland have nothing to play for apart from preparing for the playoffs, and will want to put on a good showing against one of their potential opponents, especially after defeat last weekend, and this could be a tight affair.
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