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

At a time when the visitors have an opportunity to move into second position in the standings, the home side are down in 13th spot.

Match preview

After their poor return during December, Daniel Farke may have had concerns over how Leeds would react at the start of the year, but January proved to be their best period of the campaign.

A total of five wins and one draw came from six matches in all competitions, the solitary stalemate being posted against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round.

Farke made a number of changes on that occasion, but his settled side in the league have posted four wins in a row, scoring nine goals in the process and conceding just the one.

Despite not being at their best for three games now, the 2-1 and 1-0 triumphs over Preston North End and Norwich City respectively indicate that Leeds have the character to battle their way to hard-fought victories during the second half of the campaign.

They also prevailed 3-0 in their last away Championship fixture at Cardiff City, yet this is a side that have suffered six defeats in 14 matches on their travels in the second tier.

That is a record that will not be lost on Bristol City boss Liam Manning, who is currently getting mixed results out of his squad in different competitions.

Failing to win a Championship encounter since Boxing Day has hurt the Robins' chances of earning a playoff spot, yet they have played West Ham United and Nottingham Forest at home in the FA Cup without conceding a goal.

The fourth-round replay against the latter is to come next week, Bristol City attempting to set up a home showdown with Manchester United, but full focus is currently being placed on the league.

Should Bristol City win on Friday, they will move to within three points of the top six, and a result feels imperative when a trip to Middlesbrough and home clash versus Southampton are next on their league calendar.

Bristol City Championship form:

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Bristol City form (all competitions):

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Leeds United Championship form:

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Leeds United form (all competitions):

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Team News

Although Nahki Wells scored against Coventry in midweek, Tommy Conway will expect to return down the middle of the Bristol City attack.

Ross McCrorie is an option at right wing-back after recently proving his fitness after injury, while recalls for Matty James and Harry Cornick will be considered due to the quick turnaround.

However, Scott Twine will miss out with a thigh injury, joining the likes of Rob Atkinson, Kal Naismith and Mark Sykes on the sidelines.

The five players that dropped out of the Leeds side for the FA Cup tie with Plymouth - Archie Gray, Junior Firpo, Glen Kamara, Daniel James, Crysencio Summerville and Patrick Bamford - should all return to the starting lineup.

Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas remain injured, while any new signings will need to be made by midday on Thursday to be available for this fixture.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Dickie; McCrorie, Williams, Gardner-Hickman, Pring; Knight, Mehmeti; Conway

Leeds United possible starting lineup:

Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; James, Rutter, Summerville; Bamford

We say: Bristol City 1-2 Leeds United

Despite their recent poor form, Bristol City have proven this season that they can match the bigger teams at Ashton Gate. Nevertheless, we feel that the visitors may prove too difficult to stop, the end result potentially being a late win for Farke's side.

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