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

The Potters managed an eye-catching success on their travels on the weekend at Coventry City, while Bristol City shared the spoils with Reading at Ashton Gate.

Match preview

Stoke come into this Good Friday clash as one of the in-form outfits in the division, with their 4-0 victory at Coventry on Saturday extending their unbeaten run to five matches.

Ki-jana Hoever and William Smallbone were on the scoresheet once again at the CBS Arena - some of the Potters' side are really making a name for themselves in the Championship towards the end of this campaign.

Although a charge for the playoffs looks beyond them at this stage - Alex Neil's men currently lie 13th in the league standings, 10 points behind sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers - there is real optimism surrounding the future of the Staffordshire club.

The Potters have struggled on their own patch this season, winning just six of their 19 Championship home matches, with only relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic and Blackpool managing fewer.

Neil's men have been improved at home since the FA Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in February, with Stoke earning four points from matches against Blackburn and Norwich City at the bet365 Stadium.

Bristol are in a similar situation to their hosts in the sense that second-tier football is all but guaranteed for next season, but the Robins have not found their relative comfort helpful in earning wins.

Nigel Pearson's side have been victorious in just one of their last six Championship matches - a run which has completely eliminated any slight hopes of a playoff push, with the club set for their 10th-straight season at this level next term.

Last time out saw the Robins drop two points at home to financially-troubled Reading, with a first-half Tommy Conway goal being cancelled out by Lucas Joao's 72nd-minute strike for the visitors.

That point leaves Bristol City 14th in the Championship table ahead of Friday's clash in Staffordshire - Pearson's men know they will leapfrog the Potters if they are able to record their fifth away win of the season in this one.

A last success on the road came at Deepdale against Preston North End in February - goals from Mark Sykes and Sam Bell ensured their unbeaten run at the time extended to eight matches.

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Bristol City Championship form:

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Team News

With Matija Sarkic out until next month with a muscle injury, Stoke will start with Jack Bonham between the sticks once again on Friday afternoon.

Axel Tuanzebe is a doubt for this clash after missing out on the Coventry trashing due to a "niggle" - Phil Jagielka will partner Ben Wilmot in defence if the 25-year-old is not available.

Nick Powell is expected to start back-to-back games as he tries to fill the boots of the injured Dwight Gayle, with Powell's last game before that win on Saturday coming all the way back in January.

Bristol City boss Pearson has ruled out a trio of players for the trip to Stoke on Friday, with Kal Naismith (calf), Alex Scott (ligament) and Tomas Kalas (knee) not fit to feature at the bet365 Stadium.

Saturday's goalscorer Conway may be rested from the start after playing his first game on the weekend following his three-month absence due to a hamstring injury - Harry Cornick could take his place in the XI.

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Bonham; Hoever, Wilmot, Jagielka, Sterling; Laurent, Pearson, Campbell, Smallbone, Brown; Powell

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Pring, Dasilva; James, King, Weimann, Cornick, Mehmeti; Wells

We say: Stoke City 2-0 Bristol City

Stoke have surely left it too late for a top-six finish but have been a joy to watch over the past few matches, and Neil's men will be confident of lengthening their unbeaten run on Friday.

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