Preview: Bristol City vs. Queens Park Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the Robins sit in 11th position in the standings, QPR remain four points adrift from safety in the relegation zone.

Match preview

Although the jury has remained out on Liam Manning, there can be no denying that he continues to make strides of progress having arrived as Bristol City boss earlier in the season.

While there have been six defeats in the Championship since the end of November, they have all been by narrow margins, and the Robins now appear to have turned a corner.

Back-to-back league victories have been posted against Middlesbrough and Southampton respectively, Bristol City's 3-1 win over the latter ending their opponents' 25-match undefeated streak.

The manner in which they scored three goals in the second half has set the benchmark for a team that now only sit four points adrift of sixth place.

Their home form has not always been their forte, yet with just 18 goals conceded in 16 games at Ashton Gate, the tide could continue to turn if they can build on the five strikes that have come against Boro and the Saints.

Marti Cifuentes took over QPR at a similar time to Manning arriving at Bristol City, and both teams will feel on an upward trajectory in comparison to their respective predecessors.

Nevertheless, QPR remain four points behind 21st position despite having recently put together a run of eight points from four outings.

Three of the teams above them won in midweek, including their opponents on Wednesday night as Stoke City prevailed 1-0 over the Hoops in the Potteries.

Success for QPR would have seen them move ahead of their hosts, highlighting the fine margins in the relegation scrap, yet QPR are now at risk of being cut adrift again if they cannot post an immediate response.

Bristol City Championship form:

L

D

D

L

W

W

Bristol City form (all competitions):

D

D

L

L

W

W

Queens Park Rangers Championship form:

L

W

D

W

D

L

Team News

Although Manning felt that his Bristol City players delivered "the complete performance" against Southampton, changes still remain a possibility.

Ross McCrorie and Harry Cornick combined for the match-clinching third goal and are in contention to replace Haydon Roberts and Sam Bell.

None of the injured players - which includes Kal Naismith and Scott Twine - are expected to make their returns.

Cifuentes will almost certainly make alterations to his QPR side with Lucas Andersen and Michael Frey both in contention for their first starts.

Lyndon Dykes could also be brought back into the fold, with Joe Hodge potentially dropping deeper to take the place of Jack Colback or Isaac Hayden.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Dickie, Roberts; James, Williams; Mehmeti, Knight, Bell; Conway

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Begovic; Cannon, Cook, Clarke-Salter, Paal; Colback, Hodge; Andersen, Dykes, Chair; Armstrong

We say: Bristol City 2-1 Queens Park Rangers

Losing narrowly at Stoke is unlikely to significantly dent QPR's confidence heading into this fixture. On the flip side, though, Bristol City are growing in belief, and we feel that the Robins will do enough to edge this contest by the odd goal in three.

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