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

sportsmole.co.uk, 22 October 2020, 20:00

Swansea City travel to Bristol City this coming Saturday as they look to get back to winning ways after dropping points at home to Huddersfield Town, and then again on Wednesday night away to Coventry City.

The Robins had their undefeated record wiped out at home to Middlesbrough in midweek after a defensive error handed Boro a 1-0 win at Ashton Gate.

Match preview

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Dean Holden will be hoping his Bristol City side can return to the form that has seen them win all four of their opening fixtures, but will be conscious of the drop in energy levels shown against Boro.

Andreas Weimann, Nahki Wells and the rest of City's frontline appeared muted on Wednesday night as they failed to break down a combative Boro midfield and backline, but Saturday's hosts will hope that they can stamp their authority on an inconsistent Swansea side.

Bristol City now find themselves three points adrift of leaders Reading, but will not panic. Holden and his men will be all too aware of the long campaign ahead and, armed with one of the strongest squads in the league, they will hope to make it count in the busy weeks ahead.

Bournemouth and Norwich City lie in wait for the Robins, making a return to form even more key as the West Country side attempt to not throw away such a great start to the campaign.

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Swansea will too be looking to get back amongst the points and will see this trip to Bristol as an opportunity to make the most of the hosts' dip in form.

A disappointing home loss to Huddersfield was followed up with a 1-1 draw away to Championship new boys Coventry City, where they had to come from behind to salvage a point.

Steve Cooper 's side were much-improved after the equaliser but had to settle for a draw, which extends their unbeaten away run to nine regular-season games, stretching back as far as February.

If Swansea can seal a win at Ashton Gate on Saturday, it will see them leapfrog the Robins in the table and secure their fourth win of the season.

Bristol City Championship form: WWWWDL

Bristol City form (all competitions): WLWWDL

Swansea City Championship form: WDWWLD

Swansea City form (all competitions): WDWWLD

Team News

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Bristol City will have to make do without defender Alfie Mawson, after he was withdrawn during the first half of City's loss to Boro in the week. He will likely be replaced by fellow defender Tomas Kalas.

Chris Martin cut a frustrated figure on Wednesday night and was not able to make the impact he had hoped for. This could see him make way for Senegalese striker Famara Diedhiou.

Swansea have no fresh injury concerns and will likely head into this matchup unchanged.

Viktor Gyokeres was replaced by Jay Fulton at half time on Wednesday night, and Steve Cooper could look to make that same change from the start should he wish to adopt a different formation.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

Bentley; Vyner, Moore, Kalas; Hunt, Paterson, Bakinson, Weimann, Rowe; Wells, Martin

Swansea City possible starting lineup:

Woodman; Cabango, Naughton, Guehi; Roberts, Smith, Grimes, Bidwell; Gyokeres; Ayew, Lowe

We say: Bristol City 1-1 Swansea City

Swansea have shown strong away form of late, and will provide a stern test for the Robins. We expect this to be a cagey affair with neither team willing to leave themselves exposed to their opponents' attacking threat, and as a result we see this one ending in a draw.

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