Bristol City will be hoping they can address a dreadful run of form when they face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground tonight.
Boss Lee Johnson is under huge pressure after claiming just one win in 10 games and suffering five defeats in the last seven games.
He has suffered criticism from fans for tinkering with his system on a game by game basis and having slipped away from the playoff positions, he is in need of a result against the Reds.
Fortunately, he only has one long-term injury in Pedro Pereira while Famara Diedhiou likely to return after a thigh strain.
City will be hoping a victory against Forest can reignite their promotion ambitions especially with the visit of Cardiff on the horizon.
Here is the expected team to face Sabri Lamouchi’s side at the City Ground, as picked by our colleagues at BristolLive, Gregor MacGregor.
Defence
Niki Maenpaa should keep his place in goal after doing little wrong against Sheffield Wednesday. Indeed the Finn pulled off a couple of good stops to keep the Owls out on Sunday and generally looked more assured than Daniel Bentley has of late.
The back four may also be given the chance to make up for defensive lapses at the weekend.
It could well be that the central defence changes again, but we suggest that it may be only Jack Hunt that loses his place, with Lee Johnson explaining after the 1-2 loss to Garry Monk’s team that he was most disappointed with the defending for the second goal conceded: chiefly Hunt not clearing the ball at the near post as a corner came over and Mass Luongo eventually swept into the corner of the goal.
That could open up the possibility of Tomas Kalas or Zak Vyner starting at right-back, and the club record signing has a track record of playing in that position at this level.
Filip Benkovic is likely to remain the only player in the squad yet to play for City since football resumed after lockdown.
Midfield
There may be a need to freshen up midfield, with three games over the course of six days. Captain Korey Smith should play but we go for Adam Nagy to get a start alongside him.
The wider positions should see a few changes too. We foresee either Jamie Paterson or Niclas Eliasson on one wing - and more likely the former Forest player on his old stomping ground - with Lee Johnson favourite Andi Weimann on the other flank.
Finally, the missing Kasey Palmer played a part late in the match too, with Johnson rotating the squad and handing out minutes to the fringe players, while keeping things fresh for a huge Severnside Derby at the weekend.
Attack
In attack, Nahki Wells demonstrated the finishing he can offer again at the weekend, netting his third header for City in six starts.
He’ll likely play behind a recalled Famara Diedhiou, whose aerial presence will be useful in defending set-pieces and having fully shaken off a thigh strain.
Benik Afobe and Weimann may have to be patient for forward roles again, but both could be used in attacking positions later in the game, depending on the story of the match.
