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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Bristol City predicted team vs Sheffield United: Williams rested and a decision over Semenyo

Two games in four days over a hectic Easter period will have manager Nigel Pearson weighing up his team selection for the visit of Sheffield United.

Friday's impressive victory at Stoke relieved plenty of pressure on the manager and the players as they officially guaranteed their Championship status for another year.

Pearson admitted after picking up the three points that he wants to see his players enjoying their football again for the remaining four games left of the season but again emphasised that some are still playing for their futures at the club.

Timm Klose and Robbie Cundy are both out of contract at the end of the season and you can almost assume the manager is challenging them to maintain their run of form in the final few matches.

City came through the game unscathed in regards to injuries and that means we are likely to see a similar side on Monday although the Blades are expected to pose more of a threat as they chase a play-off spot.

Pearson's side can take confidence knowing Sheffield United head into the match on the back of a surprise home defeat to Reading on Good Friday. They've also scored just twice in their last four matches.

However, the Robins will still need to be on their game defensively to secure maximum points but will have to do it without midfielder Joe Williams with Pearson playing the cautious card following his string of hamstring injuries.

The manager will also want to see his side become more ruthless in front of goal, having repeated after the last two matches how they have failed to take golden opportunities.

Antoine Semenyo, who played a key role in Jay Dasilva's winner on Friday, was guilty of missing two great chances while Andi Weimann is still in search of that elusive 20th goal of the season.

Here's how we think City will line up against Sheffield United.

Goalkeeper and defence

A welcome clean sheet for Dan Bentley on Friday will do wonders for his and the defence's confidence coming into this fixture.

The captain wasn't handed the sternest of tests against Stoke but did make a great save to deny Jacob Brown's header in the first half. His most eventful moment of the game came in the form of wrestling with the Potters forward moments before the half-time whistle.

He'll start in goal and it's never wise to change a defence on the back of a clean sheet so it is likely to be Robbie Cundy, Timm Klose and Rob Atkinson playing ahead of him.

Atkinson in particular appears to be finding his best form again after yet another assured performance in the last outing and is also emerging as a real threat from set-pieces.

Robbie Cundy is one of those playing for his future (Ashley Crowden/JMP)

There may be a doubt over the fitness of Klose heading into the game. He appeared to be struggling with some knock in the second half against Stoke and Pearson sent Cam Pring to do his warm-up almost instantaneously.

However, the Swiss veteran would go on to play the full contest to ease any serious injury fears although Pring will more than likely fill his boots in a central defensive role should Klose be struggling for match fitness.

It's also likely to be the same wing-backs in Alex Scott on the right and the in-form Dasilva on the left.

Friday's matchwinner has been one of City's most consistent performers since the turn of the year and was included in the Championship Team of the Week for the second successive time over the weekend.

Scott interestingly spoke on Friday how he has struggled to replicate his impressive form in recent weeks but that won't play into Pearson's consideration for his team selection.

Midfield

Manager Pearson has already given two certainties in his midfield to face Sheffield United.

One is Williams won't be risked after played 90 minutes on Friday and is unlikely to be in the matchday squad as City remain cautious over his fitness following his return from a hamstring injury.

When asked about his team selection on Friday, Pearson all-but conceded Han-Noah Massengo will come in to replace him with the manager saying "he is chomping at the bit" to take his opportunity.

Massengo hasn't started in City's last three matches and came on in the final moments against Stoke to ensure he will be fresh for Monday.

Expect a typically energetic performance from the Frenchman and he is likely to play alongside Matty James who also enjoyed a really impressive showing against the Potters.

James' form has come under the microscope in recent weeks but he was arguably one of the best players on the pitch in the last outing both disciplined defensively and smart in possession.

After his exploits four days ago, whether James will be able to play the full match remains to be seen but with limited options, Pearson has little choice but to play the veteran.

Andy King has returned to training but Monday is likely to come too soon for him and the same can also be said for Callum O'Dowda.

Ayman Benarous was left out of the squad against Stoke but with Williams absent, he is likely to come in to provide an option and a different dimension off the bench.

Forwards

Unfortunately for Nahki Wells, it appears his time at City is coming to an end after Pearson opted for Semenyo at the bet365 stadium.

Wells was handed a rare opportunity to prove his worth in Semenyo's absence starting against both Bournemouth and Peterborough but failed to get himself on the scoresheet and give his manager a selection headache.

There is a chance Wells could make just his eighth start of the season later this evening with Semenyo playing almost the full game on Friday on his comeback from a knee issue.

But Pearson will surely give Semenyo every opportunity to play and it could be the case that Wells is handed the last 30 minutes of action to give the Sheffield United defence something else to think about.

Pearson may have a decision to make Antoine Semenyo's fitness (Ashley Crowden/JMP)

When asked whether Semenyo will be fit for Monday after the Stoke game, Pearson said he will have to take into consideration a whole number of players although only confirmed Massengo's opportunity in Williams' absence.

Semenyo didn't have his shooting boots on in the Potteries, missing a great chance in the first half, but did play a part in the winner having assisted Dasilva.

He remained a threat, causing Stoke problems with his pace and Pearson will once again be determined to stick with his three trustee lieutenants.

Chris Martin played another hugely important role in the win on Friday both offensively and defensively. He even almost got himself on the scoresheet with his left-footed effort was parried out by stopper Jack Bonham.

Almost 20,000 supporters will be inside Ashton Gate on Monday willing Andi Weimann to score his 20th goal of the season.

There's no doubt that he will play behind the front two and we're likely to see similar tactics to Friday with Weimann dropping back into the midfield three when Sheffield United are in possession.

Sam Bell and Tommy Conway were both on the bench on Friday and are expected to keep their spots in the squad with the hope of earning some minutes in the final four matches of the season.

Bristol City (3-5-2): Bentley, Dasilva, Atkinson, Klose, Cundy, Scott, James, Massengo, Weimann, Martin, Semenyo

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