City go to Brentford on Saturday looking to end their season with a good run after beating Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.
The 4-1 scoreline was a boost for the Robins after losing at Hull and then being held by Rotherham at Ashton Gate the week before.
Brentford go into the game on the back of a three game winning streak beating Nottingham Forest, Bolton and Ipswich and scoring three goals in each. The Bees could have still been pushing for a play-off place had they not slipped to four defeats on the bounce in the run up to the Forest game.
Both sides have pride to play for and I wouldn’t think that either side will be switching off as the end of the season approaches, after all. Brentford won 4-2 at Ashton Gate in August, the lads will be wanting to settle a score.
Vital Quotes:
Lee Johnson told Bristol City Player HD: “I`ve come up against Dean Smith`s sides before. He`s done well as a manager and fully deserved his move into the Championship.
“They`re a good side; they play a nice, expansive game and have won three on the spin. They`ve got energy, especially high up the pitch so we will have to be economical with the ball.
“We must compete with them on a work-rate basis because they`re probably one of the hardest-working sides that I`ve seen in terms of a front six.
“I think the teams are evenly-matched and it`ll be a good game tomorrow.”
He added: “We want to finish as high up the table as possible and we can cut the gap between us and Brentford with a win.
“That`ll certainly be mentioned to the players, but to be honest it`s coming from them just as much. It`s a real positive that the players are determined and hungry to improve our position in the table as much as possible between now and the end of the season.
“We`ve got another sell-out crowd behind us and we`ll be working hard to send them home happy.”
Brentford Team News:
Brentford are missing midfielder Alan Judge for this game after he underwent surgery on a broken leg.
No timeline has been set for his recovery but he will miss the rest of the season.
The loan spell of Leandro Rodriguez has been ended due to his ongoing hamstring complaint, he has gone back to Everton.
Player to watch: Lasse Vibe
With five goals in the last three games, the 29 year old forward is on form. Definitely plenty for City to think about
Bristol City Team News:
Bristol City could be without striker Aaron Wilbraham again.
Seven-goal Wilbraham missed the win over Sheffield Wednesday with a calf injury. He will undergo a scan to assess the damage.
Midfielder Lee Tomlin was forced off at half-time against Wednesday with a bruised shin, but he has recovered.
Goalkeeper Frank Fielding has been ruled out for the rest of the season with ankle ligament damage, and teenager Max O’Leary will provide cover for Richard O’Donnell after being recalled from a loan spell at Kidderminster.
Player to watch: Lee Tomlin
Three goals in the last five games including a penalty against Sheffield Wednesday makes Tomlin a good bet to get on the score sheet.
Match Facts & Stats
Brentford have won 40%, drawn 15% and lost 45% of their last 20 home games.
In their last 20 home games against teams positioned in the bottom half of the table, Brentford have won 12, drawn 4 and lost 4 of these matches.
In their last 20 home games against teams positioned below them in the table, Brentford have won 13, drawn 5 and lost 2 of these matches.
Bristol City have won 30%, drawn 20% and lost 50% of their last 20 away games.
In their last 20 away games against teams positioned in the bottom half of the table, Bristol City have won 11, drawn 5 and lost 4 of these matches.
In their last 20 away games against teams positioned above them in the table, Bristol City have won 5, drawn 4 and lost 11 of these matches.
Ref Watch:
Referee is Darren Handley.
Assistant Referees are Stuart Butler and Gavin Muge.
Fourth Official is Nicholas Kinseley.
Match Prediction:
A few goals I would think, 3-3.
Next Fixtures:
Apr 19 2016 7:45PM : Derby County (H)
Apr 23 2016 3:00PM : Blackburn Rovers (a)
Apr 30 2016 3:00PM : Huddersfield Town (H)
May 7 2016 12:30PM : Queens Park Rangers (a)
