This fixture promises to be an absolute blockbuster as 6th placed Bristol City entertain 2nd placed Leeds United at Ashton Gate with a precious three points up for grabs for both teams in their quest for the play-offs and automatic promotion respectively.
Despite three league matches without a win in the Championship, Bristol City have clung onto 6th place and the last remaining play-off spot but The Robins know they must return to winning ways soon if they’re to hold onto their current position in the top six with the likes of Derby County now level on points along with Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Hull City just four points behind.
Recent back-to-back defeats to Norwich City and Birmingham City, along with a point away at Preston North End have threatened to undo all the previous good work that manager Lee Johnson and his squad have achieved throughout the season to date, so the hosts will be keen to bounce back with a win here.
Prior to losing to Birmingham City last time out at Ashton Gate, Bristol City had put together a four-match winning streak which included wins over Rotherham United, Bolton Wanderers, Swansea City and QPR, while midfielder O’Dowda (4 goals) and forwards Diedhiou (11 goals), Weimann (6 goals) and Paterson (4 goals) will be keen to ensure The Robins don’t lose a third match in four games.
Leeds United sit in second place in the Championship and just two points behind league leaders, Norwich City, at time of going to press, but depending on the result on Friday night when Norwich City play host to Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, the visitors could find themselves five points adrift before the whistle at Ashton Gate on Saturday.
Following a timeframe from the end of December through to early February, Leeds United experienced something of a wobble as they lost four of their six matches during this period which threatened the Yorkshire club’s automatic promotion hopes, but the visitors have since steadied the ship by recording three wins from their last four matches.
Wins against Swansea City, Bolton Wanderers and most impressive of all, a 4-0 romp over high-flying West Brom last time out will have given Leeds a much needed boost ahead of Saturday’s clash in the west country.
However, with just one win out of their last five matches on their travels, Leeds United have not convinced on their travels in recent weeks in the Championship, so backing both teams to score looks the most likely outcome here.