Bristol City and Millwall square off at The Den on Saturday afternoon each looking for their first Championship victory of the season.
While the Robins also failed to progress in the EFL Cup, the visitors at least managed to get back on track with victory in that competition.
Match preview
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As a result of a positive pre-season campaign, Liam Manning would have had high hopes for his Bristol City side making a strong start to another year in the Championship.
A 1-1 draw at Hull City could be perceived to be an excellent result, yet there was disappointment having conceded a last-gasp equaliser from the penalty spot.
Unlike the majority of second-tier teams, Bristol City were not presented with a tie against lower-league opposition in the EFL Cup, instead playing host to Coventry City.
The Sky Blues would ultimately come through with a 1-0 triumph at Ashton Gate, leaving Bristol City still searching for their first success of 2024-25.
On a positive note, the Robins did conclude the last campaign by collecting 13 points from their closing five fixtures on home territory.
Meanwhile, Millwall went into the new season with optimism that they could pick up where they left off at the start of May, Neil Harris posting his eighth win in 13 games.
However, it was Watford who would come out on top in a five-goal thriller last Saturday, defying a two-goal comeback from their hosts to score a late winner.
Harris has since witnessed his team respond to that disappointment with a 1-0 triumph away at fellow Championship side Portsmouth in the EFL Cup.
Millwall have now prevailed by that scoreline in three successive away fixtures and their supporters will hope for another result of that nature on Saturday.
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Team News
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Although Sam Bell needed to be withdrawn during the first half against Coventry through injury, the winger is unlikely to have started this fixture.
Manning is expected to revert to a similar Bristol City XI from the Hull game, with Sinclair Armstrong potentially earning his spot in attack after Fally Mayulu failed to net in the EFL Cup.
Max Bird should get the nod as the most advanced of the midfield three, rather than Nahki Wells being deployed as a support striker.
Wes Harding could be brought into the Millwall backline for Shaun Hutchinson having helped the Lions earned a shutout against Portsmouth.
Dan McNamara is also an option at right-back, but the remainder of the team from the Watford defeat may stay the same.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Dickie, Pring; Williams, Knight; Sykes, Bird, Mehmeti; Armstrong
Millwall possible starting lineup:
Jensen; McNamara, Harding, Cooper, Bryan; De Norre, Saville; Esse, Honeyman, Watmore; Bradshaw
We say: Bristol City 1-1 Millwall
As two outside playoff candidates, both teams will recognise the importance of getting a win on the board. However, we feel that they could play out a hard-fought stalemate which may not feature many goals.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
