Bristol City play host to Coventry City on Tuesday evening looking to end a run of three successive defeats in the Championship.
Meanwhile, the visitors to Ashton Gate, who are still bottom of the standings with games in hand, have put together a three-match unbeaten streak.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having recently put together an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions, Nigel Pearson has plenty of credit in the bank behind the scenes at Bristol City.
However, defeats to Norwich City, Burnley and Queens Park Rangers have led to the Robins dropping down to 12th place, four points adrift of the playoff spots.
Although Bristol City continued their streak of scoring in every game this season versus QPR, the 2-1 reverse represented the fifth time in six outings that they had conceded more than twice at the other end.
Possessing the second-worst defensive record in the division, Pearson will recognise that something must change if they want to avoid yet another campaign with little to play for.
On a positive note, Nahki Wells remains one of the in-form strikers in the EFL with five strikes and an assist coming in his most recent five outings.
© Reuters
After a hugely frustrating start to the season, Coventry have finally found some form with five points being collected from their last three fixtures.
On the back of draws at Luton Town and Birmingham City, Mark Robins witnessed his team post their first win in the second tier at the weekend with a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.
Viktor Gyokeres chipped in with his third goal of the campaign, and Robins will now be hopeful that the Sky Blues can edge closer to moving outside of the relegation zone.
With at least two matches in hand on the rest of the division, Coventry can make quick progress up the table if they can extend their recent improvements in the long term.
These two teams are no strangers to facing each other with Bristol City running out 4-1 victors in the EFL Cup back in August.
Team News
© Reuters
Pearson will make at least one change to his Bristol City XI with Alex Scott serving a one-match ban for collecting five yellow cards.
Either Han-Noah Massengo or Andy King will take the youngster's spot in midfield, while Antoine Semenyo appears likely to replace Tommy Conway further forward.
Kane Wilson is an option at right wing-back, but Timm Klose and Matty James are struggling with knee and groin issues respectively.
Barring any fresh injury problems, Robins may show preference to selecting the same Coventry starting lineup from the win over Middlesbrough.
While Kasey Palmer is yet to complete 90 minutes this season, the midfielder came through 78 minutes on Saturday, his longest outing thus far.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Vyner, Naismith, Atkinson; Sykes, Williams, King, Dasilva; Weimann; Semenyo, Wells
Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; Doyle, McFadzean, Panzo; Dabo, Allen, Palmer, Sheaf, Bidwell; Godden, Gyokeres
We say: Bristol City 1-1 Coventry City
Despite their strong start to the season, Bristol City have now lost their way, and Pearson will be aware that each defeat will undermine their previous results. At a time when Coventry will also be content with a share of the spoils to maintain their momentum, we are predicting a low-scoring draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
