No fresh injury concerns for Nigel Pearson this week means the Bristol City manager is likely to select a side similar to the one that faced a cruel defeat at Hull last weekend.
There were a lot of positives on show despite the loss with the manager pleased with the application and quality his side showed on the pitch for long periods of the game. Ultimately, however, it comes down to results and City will look to kick-start their campaign against Sunderland this afternoon.
With a packed house expected at Ashton Gate, the crowd could prove the difference in what is expected to be a tight contest. While that could be an extra string to City's bow, it can also have an adverse effect if the Robins fall behind in the game.
Pearson has made it no secret of his desired formation both during pre-season and in the opening contest with an extra emphasis on the wing-backs to push forward into attacking positions. The arrival of Kane Wilson in the summer certainly provides City with that extra threat.
It's a contest that could take a moment on magic to break the deadlock and with Alex Scott and Andi Weimann among the ranks, City have the quality to punish Sunderland if they're not up to their best defensively.
Sunderland boss Alex Neil has already spoken about the dangers City possess in an attacking sense and highlight how dangerous they are in the transition. He also has a habit of setting his side up to match the opposition as he did against Coventry.
Here's how we think City could line up...
Goalkeeper and defence
Dan Bentley's City future was called into question during the week following reports Bournemouth were looking to add him to their ranks. However, it seems the Premier League club will instead sign Barcelona's Neto which will come as welcome news to manager Pearson.
City's captain will take his place between the sticks with Max O'Leary on the bench. That is likely to remain the case until youngster Stefan Bajic has fully recovered from his wrist surgery which could be sooner rather than later after appearing at an open training session on Tuesday.
At the back, Kal Naismith will start in the middle of the defensive three and he enjoyed an impressive debut against Hull last weekend. The penalty given against him was harsh but he took some responsibility on Thursday by admitting he shouldn't have dived in on his opponent.
Rob Atkinson will start to his left and it appears as though he has made that position his own considering his prominence in pre-season but it's on the right where Pearson may have to make a decision.
Zak Vyner was given the nod over Timm Klose last weekend with the manager admitting the latter hasn't been at his best in pre-season. Vyner looked comfortable and put in an assured performance so there's no reason why he should be dropped.
However, the central defender has been struggling with illness and he only returned to a light training session on Wednesday. Pearson said on Thursday he has lost some weight due to his illness and despite in contention, the manager may be reluctant to risk him if he's not at peak fitness and therefore Klose could come back in.
Tomas Kalas is closing in on a return to action after taking part in full training but this game will come too soon for the Czech Republic international.
Wing-backs and midfield
Three names that are bankers to be starters, one would assume, in Joe Williams, Matty James and Jay Dasilva.
Although Cam Pring's return to fitness hands Pearson another option at left wing-back and provides competition for Dasilva out on that side. A start is likely to be too premature but Pring will have a point to prove after his absence from the squad towards the end of last season.
His injury also came at a frustrating time, immediately after impressing with two assists in a 2-0 pre-season friendly against Cheltenham and he could find himself on the bench this weekend.
It's on the other flank that Pearson admitted he has a welcome quandary on his hands. Kane Wilson, Mark Sykes and George Tanner are all vying for a start although it's likely the manager will narrow his decision down to Wilson and Sykes.
Last weekend, Wilson started on the bench having picked up a slight ankle knock in the week prior with Sykes starting out on the right. Despite not being his natural position, the former Oxford man was impressive and continued the fine form he has shown across pre-season.
With Wilson fit and raring to impress, Pearson may take into consideration Jack Clarke's pace who will look to exploit the space left behind the wing-back although both City players have the ability to backtrack should Sunderland look to counter.
The manager may also have an eye on the Carabao Cup tie with Coventry in the week and whoever starts today, is likely to be rested on Wednesday with the other player coming in but based on his recent performances, it would seem harsh to drop Sykes.
And that brings me to the next small dilemma and that is Alex Scott. He played in the No10 role against Hull and although showed his class, perhaps didn't influence the game as much as he would have liked.
It seems unlikely Pearson will drop him further back and rest either Williams or James so it's likely Scott will start behind the frontmen or not at all if the manager opts to play Wilson at wing-back and move Sykes into the No10 position.
Attack
Antoine Semenyo looks to be closing on a return to action and is thought to be well ahead of schedule meaning he is likely to feature before the end of the month.
His absence remains a blow but Chris Martin and Andi Weimann will again look to lead the line with the latter wasting no time in opening his account for the season by scoring the opener against Hull last weekend.
Martin was quiet, particularly in the second half, but he remains an integral vocal point in City's attack and allows Weimann and the No10 to make the runs beyond the defence when he collects the ball from deep.
That will mean Nahki Wells and Tommy Conway are likely to start on the bench although it will be interesting to see Pearson's decisions as the game develops. Against Hull, he introduced Conway after 60 minutes, leaving Wells on the bench.
That could have been a tactical decision to use Conway's pace on the counter as Hull pushed for an equaliser rather than the youngster moving ahead of the experienced forward in the pecking order but the game against Sunderland could provide more evidence as to where the manager sees his strikeforce as it stands.
Bristol City (3-4-1-2): Dan Bentley; Timm Klose, Kal Naismith, Rob Atkinson; Mark Sykes, Matty James, Joe Williams, Jay Dasilva; Alex Scott; Andi Weimann, Chris Martin
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