Bristol City travel to Vicarage Road to face Watford in the Sky Bet Championship this weekend. Nigel Pearson returns to the ground he once called home, and it is the first time he'll manage against the Hornets since his sacking in July 2021.
The Robins could all but end the Hornets' outside chance of reaching the play-offs, and a two-goal win would see them overtake them in the table, moving into a top-half position. City are in good spirits after taking four points from a possible six over the Easter period.
Watford failed to win both of their matches, losing at home to relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town and then drawing away to Coventry City. Chris Wilder is Watford's third manager this season and has won just once in the six games he's overseen, and so whilst City's record against their opponents isn't brilliant, it's a good time to be playing them.
City are boosted by the fact that Alex Scott should be in contention to play for the first time in weeks. He was injured on international duty with England's Under-20's, and that's ruled him out of the last three matches, but now he's back in training. Kal Naismith made a cameo appearance off the bench on Monday and should be pushing for a start, but where he plays is the big decision. City haven't got many centre-backs available, so is he played in defence or does he slot in to midfield like he did earlier this week?
Here’s our predicted Bristol City line-up to face Watford at Vicarage Road this Saturday;
1. GK: Max O’Leary
He didn’t have much to do against Boro other than pick the ball out of the net but did make a good save late on. Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
2. RB: George Tanner
No Wilson in the squad on Monday shows how Tanner has made that position his own. He’s consistent and is deserving of his starting spot. Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
3. CB: Zak Vyner
Another outing for Vyner who will be gutted he didn’t add to his tally on Monday. A Player of the Season contender. Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
4. CB: Cameron Pring
Despite Naismith’s return you’d think that Naismith might be higher up. No Kalas back this weekend so Pring continues in the role. Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images