Bristol City predicted team vs Sheffield United: Fresh njuries likely to force Manning's hand

Bristol City will be looking to extend their impressive unbeaten run at Ashton Gate this evening as Sheffield United make the trip down south for a Championship fixture under the lights.

After sweeping aside Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday, the Robins should expect to have a few more eyes on the game in BS3 with Liam Manning's side now only two points off the play-off places as they face promotion chasers in the Blades who sit pretty in third.

The Reds are yet to lose at Ashton Gate so far this season with their home ground starting to become somewhat of a fortress.

City picked up a point against promotion favourites Leeds United last time out at the Gate, however it is another tricky fixture this evening against Chris Wilder’s side who have the joint-best defence in the league and are only four point off league leaders Sunderland.

Amid some terrific team and individual performances from Manning’s side comes some injury troubles as questions linger over the conditions of George Tanner and Joe Williams following their early withdrawals against Preston.

It is not the easiest task to predict tonight’s team, but we are going to give it our best shot anyway…

Goalkeeper and defence

If anyone is surprised when Max O’Leary starts in-between the sticks this evening, then where have you been for the last couple of seasons?

The Ireland international will retain his place in goal as City’s firm first-choice and has been ever so reliable in recent weeks, particularly in the last game at Ashton Gate where he prevented a couple of good Leeds United chances.

The line in front of him is a little harder to call, though, as defenders both return and potentially fall out of contention before the Blades test.

Manning’s men underwent a change of shape following Tanner’s withdrawal, switching to more of a four-at-the-back structure, so, despite acknowledging how fluid formations are these days, we will base the predicted team off a standard 4-2-3-1 shape.

It would not be a surprise to see the Robins stick with that against the Blades as it was so effective in seeing off Paul Heckingbottom’s side at the weekend.

The personnel who appeared in the backline against Preston all played a good game, with the only performance-related questions being the wall for the free-kick in which the Lilywhites scored and maybe some positioning when caught on the transition if we are being particularly harsh.

Despite that, expect Zak Vyner, Rob Dickie and Luke McNally all to retain their places with Vyner remaining at right-back since he was so comfortable there at Deepdale and assuming Tanner is not fit enough.

Coming in earlier than expected last game, Haydon Roberts will most likely take up the left-back position and, besides, there is not really any other option due to the losses of Cam Pring and Ross McCrorie.

Both full-backs will need to be extra forthright as they face the likes of the nimble and creative Callum O’Hare and the skillful Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

Midfield

The middle of the park is a bit more straightforward.

Ever-present three-lunged skipper Jason Knight will be at the heart of it, most likely partnered by the recently impressive Marcus McGuane should Joe Williams not make it in time.

McGuane provided some brilliant energy off the bench and has proved another source of non-stop energy since making his full debut against Leeds.

He was a constant pressing nuisance for Preston after coming on just over half an hour into proceedings and made some lung-busting recoveries, notably preventing a certain tap-in at the back post for Mads Frøkjær of the Lilywhites.

He possesses composure on the ball as well which could prove pivotal this evening against a top Championship side.

It would be surprising if Max Bird does not retain his place in behind the striker against the Blades after he bagged his first Robins goal on Saturday.

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He is still adapting to his new role at no.10 and the creative license it comes with as he spoke about last week prior to Preston, but he is looking more comfortable by the game.

Either side of Bird should be Mark Sykes and man-of-the-moment Yu Hirakawa.

Both were clear standouts last time out; effective going forward and working their socks off to win the ball back both high up the pitch and in and around their own penalty area.

They will need to be equally as effective tonight as they will most likely come up against young guns Harrison Burrows and Alfie Gilchrist at full back who will no doubt be on their case for the full 90.

Striker

As useful as Sinclair Armstrong’s pace and physicality could be against the Blades, Nahki Wells will almost certainly start as the focal point in Manning’s starting 11.

The Bermudian has been in red-hot form, bagging three goals in his last three matches including a peach of a header last time out, with his experience and know-how proving vital in a young Robins side.

He has not had much competition either with Armstrong and Fally Mayulu proving fairly ineffective off the bench over the last month or so, but expect one of, if not both, to make a cameo as the game progresses.

Bristol City XI (4-2-3-1): Max O’Leary; Zak Vyner, Rob Dickie, Luke McNally, Haydon Roberts; Jason Knight, Marcus McGuane, Max Bird, Mark Sykes, Yu Hirakawa; Nahki Wells