Bristol City will look to move out of the bottom three when they meet fellow Championship new boys MK Dons at Ashton Gate.

However, the Dons are also in the relegation zone and will want a victory over the Robins to boost their own hopes of survival.

Bristol City

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While Steve Cotterill's side find themselves bottom of the Championship at the start of October, the story could have been very different last weekend.

City were 2-1 ahead at Ipswich Town in the dying stages, but a late Ryan Fraser equaliser denied the Robins their second win of the season.

However, the League One champions have struggled at home, with only one point from a possible 12.

Indeed, the Cider Army have already lost more games at Ashton Gate than they did in 23 games last season, albeit in a lower division.

Cotterill said that he wanted to make his team more "sexy", but failed in his attempts to sign Dwight Gayle from Crystal Palace during the summer, although Jonathan Kodjia has found goal-scoring form since his switch from Angers.

However, despite Kodjia's goals, City's biggest problem has been at the other end, with the Reds conceding 19 goals in nine games - currently the worst defence in the Championship.

Things could get worse for the Robins in weeks to come with trips to high-flying Cardiff City and leaders Brighton & Hove Albion on the horizon.

Recent form: WLLDLD

MK Dons

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Five consecutive defeats have left MK Dons in freefall and amongst familiar company in the bottom three.

However, their performance in the 3-1 defeat at home to Derby County suggests that there is hope of turning around their form, with manager Karl Robinson saying that he was proud of the display against the Rams.

During that game, the Buckinghamshire outfit hit the post and had another effort cleared off the line, but ultimately left Stadium:mk empty handed.

On the other hand, the Dons' industry in attack last weekend cannot disguise the fact that the club boasts one of the poorest attacks in the division, with only fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End having scored fewer so far this season.

However, what may be of bigger concern to MK is their recent defensive record, letting in 13 goals in their last four games in all competitions, although the 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Southampton in the League Cup may have skewed that statistic somewhat.

One crumb of comfort for Dons supporters may their form at the start of the season, which saw Robinson's side collect seven points from a possible 12, including a 4-1 win at Rotherham United in their first game at this level.

Recent form: DLLLLL
Recent form (all competitions): LLLLLL

Team News

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After their battling performance at Ipswich, City might field an unchanged side for the visit of the Dons.

Cotterill has tended to keep faith with Kodjia and Aaron Wilbraham in attack, which could mean that Kieran Agard again makes do with a place on the bench.

Meanwhile, the Dons could field Jake Forster-Caskey in midfield once again, after handing the Brighton loanee his debut against Derby last week.

If Robinson does decide to shake up his side then recent signing Nicky Maynard may feature for the visitors.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Fielding, Little, Ayling, Flint, Baker, Williams, Bryan, Pack, Freeman, Wilbraham, Kodjia

MK Dons possible starting lineup:
Martin; Spence, McFadzean, Kay, Lewington; Poyet, Forster-Caskey; Baker, Reeves, Murphy; Church

Head To Head

The Dons can safely describe City as a bogey team, having failed to beat the Robins in any of the nine meetings between the teams.

MK have drawn four games against the Cider Army, including a goalless draw at Stadium:mk in February.

The last time the sides met at Ashton Gate, City edged a five-goal thriller, with Kieran Agard scoring twice for the eventual League One champions.

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We say: Bristol City 2-0 MK Dons

While City's defensive record is not one to be proud of, the Dons are in freefall after a run of five consecutive defeats and, the Robins' performance at Ipswich suggests that another win might not be too far away.

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