Preview: Bristol City vs. Cardiff City - prediction, team news, lineups

In the final installment of the fifth round of Championship fixtures, Bristol City will welcome Cardiff City to Ashton Gate for a Severnside derby on Sunday.

The hosts were able to secure a first league win on the season against Luton Town last time out, while their visitors arrive with seven points from their four games after a relatively positive start.

Match preview

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In their eighth consecutive Championship season, Bristol City endured a difficult start under the management of Nigel Pearson, firstly losing 2-1 away at Hull City on the opening day, as Andreas Weimann's opener was cancelled out before Jean-Michael Seri snatched all three points for their hosts deep into injury time.

The Robins were then beaten on home turf by Sunderland, with Ross Stewart hitting the decisive goal in a 3-2 win for the Black Cats after Weimann and Chris Martin had twice drawn them level, and their winless start would be stretched in the following encounter away at Wigan Athletic.

Weimann continued his scoring run, putting them ahead inside the first five minutes, but Pearson's men could only leave with a draw after Nick Powell's second-half equaliser, putting them on just one point from three outings.

Desperate to put a first three-point haul on the board, the Robins were able to triumph last time out, when they hosted Luton Town on Tuesday, as Nakhi Wells and Tommy Conway got on the scoresheet in a 2-0 beating of Luton Town at Ashton Gate.

Having relieved some pressure with that victory, Bristol City head into Sunday's derby with some renewed confidence and will look to make it two in a row and put their tough start behind them.

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They welcome a Cardiff City side who have enjoyed a more pleasing start to the season, with seven points to their name from the opening four matches.

Steve Morison's side faced a tough test on the opening day at home to newly-relegated Norwich City, but they prevailed as Romaine Sawyers hit the only goal of the game.

Following a defeat to Reading and an exit from the EFL Cup, the Bluebirds bounced back with a 1-0 home win over Birmingham City last Saturday, with Jaden Philogene-Bidace's 17th-minute goal proving decisive as Morison's side stood strong to take all three points.

They now head into Sunday's contest on the back of a goalless draw away at West Bromwich Albion, as the Welsh outfit held off pressure from the Baggies to share the spoils, and Cardiff will make the trip hoping to get one over on their rivals and move onto 10 points from five games, cementing an impressive first month to the campaign.

Team News

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Bristol City have several selection concerns to deal with, as Mark Sykes is suspended after being sent off against Luton, while key men Tomas Kalas and Antoine Semenyo are both confined to the treatment room.

In the absence of Kalas, summer signing Kal Naismith will continue to operate at the heart of a back three alongside Zak Vyner and Rob Atkinson, while Alex Scott could move to the right-hand side to replace Sykes, allowing for Joe Williams to join Han-Noah Massengo in the engine room.

Their attacking unit should again comprise of Nakhi Wells, Tommy Conway and Andreas Weimann, who has carried his fine form into the new season, having already netted three league goals and provided two assists after scoring 22 times and assisting 10 in the Championship last term.

Cardiff also have several issues to address, particularly at the back, as Cedric Kipre and Curtis Nelson are both sidelined, while Mark McGuinness has left to join Sheffield Wednesday on loan.

Given those absentees, Jack Simpson and Perry Ng will again partner up at the heart of the back four after seeing out a clean sheet away at West Brom, with more competition further forward as Ryan Wintle, Romaine Sawyers and Andy Rinomhota are battling to feature in the centre of midfield.

Joe Ralls will keep his place in the hole of a 4-2-3-1 setup, while Callum O'Dowda, Kion Etete, Rubin Colwill and Mark Harris are all vying to come in in the attacking spots after Sheyi Ojo, Max Watters and Jaden Philogene-Bidace were preferred last time out.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

Bentley; Vyner, Naismith, Atkinson; Scott, Massengo, Williams, Dasilva; Weimann; Conway, Wells

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Allsop; Romeo, Ng, Simpson, Collins; Rinomhota, Sawyers; Ojo, Ralls, O'Dowda; Watters

We say: Bristol City 1-1 Cardiff City

We anticipate a tense affair at Ashton Gate on Sunday, with limited chances as both sides aim to avoid a derby-day defeat.

Bristol City will have more confidence after breaking their winless run last time out, but they face a tough test against a Cardiff side who have enjoyed a positive start, and we anticipate a share of the spoils as a result.

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