Forecasting a Lee Johnson selection decision is never straightforward at the best of times but for all the debate over the attacking options at his disposal, the Bristol City head coach's big surprise selection was in defence.
Tommy Rowe starts at left-back against Blackburn Rovers in a defence also featuring Pedro Pereira, Tomas Kalas and Nathan Baker, ahead of England Under-21 international Jay Dasilva.
Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, Johnson revealed that the decision to field the more experienced Rowe was due to the physical test of Blackburn winger Sam Gallagher who stands at 6ft 3ins, a significant advantage over the 5ft 5ins Dasilva.
When asked if it was a difficult choice to make, Johnson said: "No, not really. The team that's starting - everybody has dealt with Covid in different ways. I think we're going to need everyone of the 21/22 fit players. It gives us great scope to chop and change.
"Tommy has been absolutely superb. Jay's been good as well. We just feel for this game we need that bit more experience.
"If Gallagher plays off the right he's got the physicality we need to cope with. So an easy decision with that one."
Dan Bentley returns in goal after missing the two matches prior to lockdown due to a groin injury with Niki Maenpaa moving to the bench.
In midfield, Korey Smith and Han-Noah Massengo will anchor what looks like a five-man unit with three attacking midfielders selected in Jamie Paterson, Callum O'Dowda and Niclas Eliasson.
Famara Diedhiou then leads the line with Benik Afobe, back in a City squad since early September, on the bench alongside Nahki Wells who had sustained a calf strain in training and missed last Friday's 3-2 friendly defeat to Southampton.
Bristol City (4-2-3-1): Bentley; Pereira, Baker, Kalas, Rowe; O'Dowda, Massengo, Smith, Eliasson; Paterson, Diedhiou; Subs: Maenpaa, Williams, Dasilva, Hunt, Benkovic, Vyner, Palmer, Afobe, Wells
