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

It is a clash between two Championship sides, with the hosts currently sitting in 14th place, while the visitors are up in second.

Match preview

It has been a solid, if not spectacular start to the season for Bristol City, having won one, drawn two and lost one of their opening four league games, which leaves them in mid table.

The Robins have made a habit of finishing in the middle of the pack over the past few seasons, ending up in 14th place last season, and their results thus far suggest they could be in for a similar campaign once again.

On the opening day of the season, Nigel Pearson's side drew 1-1 at home against Preston North End, and they are still yet to win at Ashton Gate in the league, having lost against Birmingham City in their last game at Tuesday's venue.

However, Bristol City put in a very impressive performance against Oxford United at home to reach this stage of the competition, running out 5-1 winners at the beginning of the month.

In the Robins' last outing, away at Hull City on Friday night, they played out a 1-1 draw, with Nakhi Wells bagging his second goal of the season just after the hour mark, to cancel out Ozan Tufan's opener.

After finishing seven points off the playoffs last season, Norwich City will be keen to avoid a repeat of that this time around, as they look to return to the Premier League, and they have made a very promising start.

At this early stage of the season, Norwich are in second place, having won three and drawn one of their opening four games, scoring the highest number of goals of any team in the league in the process.

The only game the Canaries have not won this season was their away match against recently-relegated Southampton, in which the Saints scored a 97th-minute equaliser to end their perfect start.

Having reached this stage of the competition by beating Queens Park Rangers 1-0 on their travels, David Wagner's side are now tasked with beating another Championship side, who they have a very good recent record against, winning four of the last five encounters.

Bristol City EFL Cup form:

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Bristol City form (all competitions):

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D

Norwich City EFL Cup form:

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Norwich City form (all competitions):

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D

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Team News

Bristol City are set to be without Robert Atkinson and Ayman Benarous, who have both been long-term absentees due to knee injuries, while Tommy Conway is also unavailable for selection, having missed the last four games.

Otherwise, Pearson has a fully-fit squad to choose from, but he may choose to rotate his team, with Andreas Weimann potentially coming in for Wells at striker, having recently returned from injury.

Norwich City also have several players missing with injuries, including Grant Hanley, who has an Achilles tendon issue, while Borja Sainz misses out due to an ankle injury, and Jacob Lungi Sorensen has a groin problem.

Josh Sargent suffered a serious ankle injury while scoring in the 4-0 win at Huddersfield Town at the weekend, so Adam Idah could get the nod in attack.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Naismith, Pring; Knight, James, Williams; Sykes, Bell, Weimann

Norwich City possible starting lineup:

Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis; McLean, Sara, Fassnacht, Barnes, Rowe; Idah

We say: Bristol City 0-1 Norwich City

Norwich City have made a flying start to the campaign, so we expect them to continue their unbeaten run and book their place in the third round on Tuesday night.

Although they lost their last match at Ashton Gate, Norwich have a very good recent record against Bristol City, and they have started the season far better.

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