Preview: Bristol City vs. Brentford - prediction, team news, lineups

Brentford square off against Bristol City on Saturday afternoon having already confirmed third position in the Championship standings.

Meanwhile, their hosts are happy that the season is coming to an end having dropped down to 19th place, a consequence of three successive defeats.

Match preview

© Reuters

Having fallen short in their efforts to achieve automatic promotion, Thomas Frank has needed to work hard to keep his squad in the right mindset ahead of the playoffs.

However, after three successive wins and an 11-match unbeaten streak being put together, Brentford will be difficult to beat if they maintain their current form later this month.

Goals remain in relatively short supply, but the Bees' 2-0 victory over already-promoted Watford earned their sixth clean sheet in seven outings.

Ivan Toney converted yet another spot kick for Brentford, although the club's top goalscorer still has just one strike from open play since the beginning of March.

© Reuters

At a time when Brentford are optimistic about their chances in the playoffs, Nigel Pearson is already thinking about the extensive rebuilding job that he has on his hands at Bristol City.

Despite a strong start to his reign at Ashton Gate, the Robins have now gone nine matches without success, their last win coming back on March 13.

Although the Bristol City hierarchy have still handed Pearson a three-year contract, he will be under no illusions that he must start next season on the front foot.

That will mean far less capitulations in the same manner that his side have given up points against Wycombe Wanderers, Luton Town and Millwall.

On a positive note, 18-year-old Tommy Conway netted his first goal for Bristol City last weekend, potentially earning himself a spot in the first-team squad for the following campaign.

Team News

© Reuters

Frank could hand starts to Winston Reid and Vitaly Janelt as he rests more Brentford players ahead of the playoffs.

Bryan Mbeumo, Saman Ghoddos and Emiliano Marcondes are also in contention for recalls with Ivan Toney potentially dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

Pearson will almost certainly make changes to his Bristol City XI given the manner of their defeat to Millwall.

Jay Dasilva, Adam Nagy and Antoine Semenyo may come into the team, but Conway is likely to keep his place in the final third.

As many as six first-team players, including Andreas Weimann, remain sidelined through injury.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Hunt, Baker, Kalas, Dasilva; Lansbury, Nagy; Semenyo, Conway, Palmer; Wells

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Jansson, Reid, Sorensen; Rasmussen, Bidstrup, Janelt, Mbeumo; Fosu-Henry, Marcondes; Forss

We say: Bristol City 1-2 Brentford

With both teams potentially making alterations, we expect this contest to be closer than many are predicting. Nevertheless, the Bees will want to maintain their momentum, and they could edge this contest by the odd goal in three.