Bristol City face Reading on Saturday at Ashton Gate knowing that victory could help the League One champions climb out of the bottom three.

However, Steve Clarke's men will be looking to bounce back after their first defeat at home this season against Derby County in midweek.

Bristol City

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Before the end of the transfer window, Robins manager Steve Cotterill stated that he wanted to turn City into one of the Championship's "sexy teams" and hoped to attract new talent to the club that way.

Whether the spectacular goal from Neil Kilkenny, a former Bristol City player, for Preston North End on Tuesday was what Cotterill had in mind is another story.

His team did at least respond to that strike with a late equaliser through Aaron Wilbraham, but the result didn't stop the South Gloucestershire outfit dropping into the relegation zone.

City's problem has not been scoring goals. Indeed, they are among the top 12 in terms of goals scored so far this term.

However, their issue is at the other end of the pitch. Bristol City have conceded 15 in their first seven games and only bottom-of-the-table Rotherham United have an inferior defensive record.

The Robins have at least shown ambition in the transfer market with the additions of Liam Moore and Nathan Baker on loan, bringing their Premier League pedigree to the City defence and if they can rediscover the sexy football from last year's title success, maybe more promising talent will arrive in January.

Recent form: LDWLLD

Reading

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Clarke proclaimed himself devastated with the manner of his side's 1-0 loss at home to Derby, because of the good run his side had been on previously.

The Royals were reduced to 10 men for the entire second half, but only a Tom Ince strike denied them an unlikely point at the Madejski Stadium.

Prior to that, Reading had been unbeaten in six games in all competitions, including an impressive away win at Brentford and the 5-1 thrashing of Ipswich Town last weekend.

Throughout that run and even the whole season to date, the Berkshire club have proven a difficult side to break down, having conceded just six goals so far. Only Brighton & Hove Albion, Middlesbrough and Hull City, who also occupy three of top four spots in the league, have better records.

At the other end, Reading have striker Nick Blackman in form. The 25-year-old has scored four goals in six appearances this term.

The Royals also have Matej Vydra to call upon after the Watford loanee made his first start for the club against Ipswich.

Recent form: DDDWWL
Recent form (all competitions): DDWWWL

Team News

Cotterill is likely to be without Wes Burns again after the forward sustained a thigh strain ahead of the trip to Birmingham City last weekend.

Jonathan Kodjia, who has netted four goals since his summer move from French club Angers, is expected to start alongside Wilbraham in attack, which means that Kieran Agard may remain on the bench.

Meanwhile, Orlando Sa's straight red card against Derby means that he will begin a three-match suspension, with Ola John among those in contention to replace the frontman.

Michael Hector should continue in defence after being recalled to face the Rams, but Paolo Hurtado was left out of the matchday squad in midweek and is available for a return.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Fielding; Ayling, Moore, Flint; Baker; Bryan, Smith, Pack, Freeman; Wilbraham, Kodjia

Reading possible starting lineup:
Bond, Gunter, Obita, McShane, Hector, Norwood, Tshibola, Quinn, Blackman, Kodjia, Vydra

Head To Head

The history of this fixture suggests that these sides are often evenly matched; Bristol City have won 35 to Reading's 34.

However, the Royals have enjoyed the better of recent encounters between the two, with the Robins winning two of their last 11 against the Berkshire outfit.

City's last victory over Reading came at Ashton Gate in October 2010, when a solitary Danny Haynes goal proved to be the difference.

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Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:

We say: Bristol City 0-0 Reading

Reading do go into match as favourites, especially with City's current position in the bottom three. However, the absence of Sa may leave the Royals a little gun-shy. So, a goalless draw is arguably a sensible bet.

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