City take on Doncaster at the Gate

With our relegation fears firmly behind us, City will be looking to build on an excellent run of form that has seen them win five of their last six matches and are pursuing a fourth consecutive home victory when Donny visit on Saturday.

The Keepmoat outfit arrive in poor form and things have not been going their way of late.

Rovers are without a win in four matches and are only nine points above the bottom three.

Vital Quotes:

City boss Keith Millen speaking to the Bristol Evening Post:
“We cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal now and I’ve told the players that.

“If we’re not totally focused and up for the game, we will be punished. The Championship has shown us that time and again over the years.

“Of course, there is less pressure on us now we have reached the 50-point landmark, but that does not mean we can put our feet up in the belief we have cracked it.

“Doncaster still need points to guarantee safety and there will be an edge to their game. If we don’t have the same edge to our game, we could be in trouble.

“Sometimes it is easy to relax after a two-week international break and I’ve reminded the lads that doing that would be a mistake.

“Our supporters will expect us to be on the front foot and it’s up to us to take the game to Doncaster and impose ourselves. We are at home, we’re in good form and we need to keep the run going.”

Bristol City Team News:

Jamie McAllister, Cole Skuse and Jon Stead could return from long absences to play some part against Doncaster.

Left-back McAllister (broken rib) has been out for six weeks while midfielder Skuse and striker Stead have each been on the sidelines for 10 weeks with respective toe and ankle problems.

The trio came through a behind-closed-doors game unscathed on Wednesday and are expected to be added to Keith Millen’s depleted squad.

During the international break, Millen received the news that on-loan centre-half Steven Caulker (knee) will join fellow defender Liam Fontaine (ankle) in missing the rest of the season, while captain Louis Carey is still recovering from a skull fracture.

Christian Ribeiro is also on the sidelines and Millen received further bad news this week when midfielder Kalifa Cisse pulled out of training with a thigh problem.

Player to watch: Nicky Maynard

Has come into the side to score goals and he is doing that, long may it continue.

Doncaster Rovers Team News:

Rovers will be without the services of midfielder Martin Woods, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season following groin surgery.

Manager Sean O’Driscoll is also without the services of James O’Connor (foot), James Chambers (knee), Billy Sharp (groin), Adam Lockwood (knee) and Paul Keegan (knee) for the trip to Ashton Gate.

‘Keeper Neil Sullivan is available for selection to the starting eleven, whilst Simon Gillett and Mustapha Dumbuya are both fully fit again.

Player to watch: James Coppinger

The Donny right-winger has been a constant threat to the City team over the last few seasons. Expect Saturday to be no different.

Match Facts & Stats

– City are top of the Championship’s ‘form table’ based on the last six matches.

– The Robins have conceded five goals this season in the opening five minutes of matches – more than any other team in the division.

– A win would leave the Robins with 15 league victories – as many as they managed throughout the whole of last season.

– A win for Doncaster would take their number of points secured under manager Sean O’Driscoll to 300.

– They are one of three clubs not to have scored more than three goals in a Championship game this season.

– Jason Euell is in line for his 400th career league appearance, and James Coppinger his 250th league appearance for Doncaster.

Source – BBC Sport.

Ref Watch:

Referee details on this game can be viewed HERE

Match Prediction:

CITY 2-0 ROVERS
History says that there are always an avalanche of goals between these two at Ashton Gate. With City in form and Donny missing several first-teamers, I don’t see City slipping up in this one.