Swansea City play host to Bristol City on Saturday afternoon looking to end their poor start to the new Championship campaign.
While the winless Swans sit in 20th position in the standings, Bristol City are in 14th spot having accumulated three more points than their hosts.
Match preview
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Like many clubs in the Championship, Swansea are going through a transitional period until it becomes apparent which players will join and leave during the final days of the summer transfer window.
New boss Michael Duff has already witnessed key player Joel Piroe link up with Leeds United, yet that is not the solitary reason why the Welsh side are yet to win in the league.
Both points have been claimed from losing positions - against Birmingham City and Coventry City - but five goals have been conceded on their travels at West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End respectively.
With their only clean sheet in six matches coming against Northampton Town in the EFL Cup, Swansea will not make progress from last season unless they become more resilient in defence.
Although claiming maximum points against Bristol City is the priority, Duff will sense an opportunity to finally keep a shutout in the Championship.
Bristol City have scored just three times in their opening four league matches, failing to score more than once in any of those games.
On the flip side, Nigel Pearson's side possess one of the best defences in the division, shipping just four strikes and conceding more than once on just one occasion.
Nevertheless, the feeling is that the Robins require a greater balance, with none of their goals coming in the first half and their solitary victory at Millwall achieved courtesy of a last-gasp winner.
While Pearson will be content with keeping Bristol City in contention for the top six at this stage, a spark is required in the final third, rather than largely relying on Nakhi Wells.
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Team News
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Although Swansea pushed Bournemouth in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, none of the players that came into the side did anything of note to earn a start in the league.
That could see Duff being willing to start with the Swansea XI that lost to Preston, although Jamie Paterson's goal from the substitutes' bench could see him selected as the most creative of a midfield three or as a second striker.
If a new striker is signed by midday on Friday, they will come into contention for a spot on the substitutes' bench.
Andreas Weimann is expected to miss out for Bristol City after suffering a recurrence of a heel injury soon after his introduction against Hull City.
Barring the possibility of Taylor Gardner-Hickman replacing George Tanner at right-back, the starting lineup could stay the same.
Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Rushworth; Wood, Cabango, Darling; Ashby, Fulton, Grimes, Patino, Key; Yates, Cullen
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Gardner-Hickman, Vyner, Naismith, Pring; Williams, James, Knight; Sykes, Wells, Bell
We say: Swansea City 2-1 Bristol City
Judging by the starts of both sides, this can be nothing but a hard-fought contest. Bristol City will fancy their chances of extending Swansea's poor start, yet we feel that the Welsh outfit will rally in the closing stages to register a much-needed three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
