Bristol City v Stoke City: Is it on TV, how to watch, injury and team news

Bristol City play their second consecutive home game as they welcome Stoke City to Ashton Gate with a familiar face making a return.

Former head coach Dean Holden returns to B36, this time as assistant manager of opponents Stoke.

The Potters are fourth in the table and could move up to third if results go in their favour, such as Blackpool beating West Brom. They are unbeaten in their last four games and have won their last three matches.

Their placing of fourth sees them 14 places above the Robins and a whole 11 points separate the two sides.

Nigel Pearson’s side are now nine points adrift of the play-offs and sit just five points above the relegation zone so a surprise result is needed to relieve some pressure.

In the last meeting between the two, Stoke defeated Bristol in April with Nick Powell and Steven Fletcher on target.

There have been 58 meetings between the two with the first stretching back to 1906, City have lost 26, drawn 15 and won 17, which means Stoke edge it by nine.

What’s the latest team news for Bristol City?

On Saturday, Nigel Pearson believed that the Stoke City game might have come too soon for midfielder Matty James, but in the pre-match presser on Monday, Curtis Fleming gave him every chance.

Ayman Benarous made his first start for City on the weekend but given his lack of experience in the league, it may be a game for Han-Noah Massengo to start in.

Jay Da Silva was not in the matchday squad on Saturday but was seen pictured warming up. Kasey Palmer meanwhile continues to be exiled from the squad.

There is a hope that Rob Atkinson could return at centre-back which would allow Zak Vyner to move to the right. Vyner put in a solid shift against Blackburn on Saturday and was neat in possession.

Top scorer Andreas Weimann earned an assist on Saturday and should be expected to play behind Chris Martin, though Nahki Wells did almost score the winner, so he could be pushing for a start.

What’s the latest team news for Stoke City?

For Stoke City meanwhile, Steven Fletcher is expected to lead the line along with fellow Scot, Jacob Brown, despite calls to play Tyrese Campbell.

Morgan Fox is also in line to replace Josh Tymon at left-wing-back but Sam Surridge will miss the game after earning a red card against Peterborough.

Wales goalkeeper Adam Davies will don the gloves after Josef Bursik picked up a quid injury on international duty with England’s U21s, which will keep him sidelined for the next three months.

Other long-term lay-offs include Nick Powell with a cracked fibula, Sam Clucas who has a quad problem, whilst Harry Souttar has suffered the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament damage.

There is some good news for the Staffordshire side as Jordan Thompson is hoping to return to the first-team fold soon.

Jacob Brown, who recently played for Scotland has netted five times this season and is their joint top scorer with Nick Powell. He is also tied with Mario Vrančić and Tommy Smith with 12 assists shared equally between the trio.

Is the match on TV?

Yes! Bristol City supporters who are also Sky Sports subscribers can watch the match on both Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Football.

If you aren’t a subscriber but would like to watch the match without a long-term subscription, you can buy a Now TV Matchday Pass.

Coverage will begin at 7:30 pm, so there will be pre-match interviews from Nigel Pearson and Michael O’Neill, as well as a discussion.

How can I watch highlights?

If you’re at the game and want to watch it back then your best bet is to tune in to Sky Sports News, who will feature highlights of the game.

As it is a television game, you may want to look at Sky Sports Football on Twitter, to see if they have uploaded goals from the game.