Bristol City play host to Oxford United on Saturday afternoon looking for the victory that could see them move into the top half of the Championship table.
As for the visitors to Ashton Gate, they already sit in seventh position in their first season back in the second tier for more than two decades.
Match preview
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When Liam Manning was appointed as Bristol City head coach in November, he was regarded as a progressive appointment in terms of style of play.
However, with a 31% win-ratio and on the back of two heavy defeats at Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, he has entered the territory where he is fighting for his job.
Bristol City's only win in any competition during 2024-25 is by a 4-3 scoreline against Millwall, with the Robins having now conceded three times in three of their last four games.
Five halves of football have also come and gone without finding the back of the net, with Bristol City fortunate to still be as high as 17th place in the table.
The solitary positive is that they did not lose at Ashton Gate in their opening two games, something Manning will be desperate to maintain this weekend.
Oxford also enter this contest with an unbeaten record, impressively winning all four of their matches at the Kassam Stadium in all competitions.
Last time out, Des Buckingham's side recorded a 1-0 triumph over Stoke City that ultimately led to the Potters making the decision to sack Steven Schumacher.
On the flip side, Oxford have lost each of their three matches on their travels, albeit two of them being at Coventry and all three by one-goal margins.
Survival is their priority this campaign, yet they will be increasingly confident of hanging around in the top half if they can post another three points from this match.
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Team News
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Manning will inevitably make changes to his Bristol City, Sinclair Armstrong in line to be recalled down the centre of the attack.
Haydon Roberts may be considered for a start at left-back, but Yu Hirakawa could have to wait for his first opportunity in the final third.
Rob Dickie, Ross McCrorie, Rob Atkinson and George Earthy all remain sidelined through injury.
With Cameron Brannagan having suffered a muscle injury versus Stoke, Ruben Rodrigues is in line to replace him in midfield.
The rest of the starting lineup could stay the same, Greg Leigh remaining at left-back with Joe Bennett sidelined until the turn of the year.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, McNally, Roberts; Williams, Knight; Sykes, Bird, Twine; Armstrong
Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Cumming; Kioso, Moore, Brown, Leigh; McEachran; Goodrham, Mizouni, Rodrigues, Dembele; Harris
We say: Bristol City 1-1 Oxford United
Many will feel Oxford make the trip to Ashton Gate as the favourites to come out on top given their superior start. Nevertheless, we are backing Bristol City to earn a share of the spoils, even if that will not go down well with their supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
