Bristol City predicted XI to face Sheffield United: Two changes amid Rob Dickie and Joe Williams latest

Bristol City were beaten 3-0 at home by Sheffield United on Thursday night in the first leg of their Championship play-off. The Robins were reduced to 10 men just before half-time after defender Rob Dickie was sent off. Harrison Burrows, Andre Brooks and Callum O’Hare then got on the scoresheet for the Blades at Asthon Gate.

Liam Manning’s side now have a lot of work to do at Bramall Lane on Monday evening. They finished the regular season in 6th place. Here is a look at how they could line-up in the second leg...

Bristol City defensive options against Sheffield United

Max O’Leary has been Bristol City’s number one over recent times and will keep his place between the sticks. He has made 47 appearances in all competitions this season, 46 of which have come in the league. Stefan Bajic provides back-up from the bench.

George Tanner and Zak Vyner are likely to keep their place at the back. Dickie is suspended after he was given his marching orders against Sheffield United last time out with Haydon Roberts likely to come in for him. The Robins’ chief operating officer Tom Rawcliffe has said on the 3 Peaps in a Podcast that they will appeal the decision: "We will be appealing the Rob Dickie red card, and we'll need a pretty quick answer to that if he's going to play on Monday.

"We'll do all we can to overturn that, we might not get there, there are two schools of that as there tends to be, but we'd like to have him available for Monday if possible. Whichever way we dress it up, it's cruel, isn't it? It's now the focal point of what we're going to talk about, the sending off, and we've worked so hard this season to get to that point.”

Yu Hirakawa and Ross McCrorie are then poised to get the nod again at wing-back. They like to get up and down the flank. The latter scored twice against Preston North End on the final day of the campaign.

Bristol City midfield and attacking options against Sheffield United

Bristol City midfielder Joe Williams went off against Sheffield United in the first leg due to injury. He is now a big doubt for the trip to South Yorkshire. Manning has said: “He's on crutches. So [he's] not looking good either.”

Marcus McGuane seems the most likely replacement in the middle of the park. The former Oxford United man joined his current club last year. Max Bird and Jason Knight have been ever present for the Robins and will feature from the off again.

Further up the pitch, Manning has a decision to make between George Earthy, Scott Twine and Anis Mehmeti. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him go for the latter. The 24-year-old has scored 12 league goals in this campaign.

Wells has found the net on 10 occasions this term and is set to lead the line again. He injects experience into Bristol City’s ranks. Sinclair Armstrong will be looking to make an impact off the bench.

Bristol City predicted XI: O’Leary; Hirakawa, Tanner, Vyner, Roberts, McCrorie; MacGuane, Bird, Knight; Mehmeti; Wells