EFL Championship | Gameweek 43

Apr 18, 2025 at 3pm UK

Robins High Performance Centre

Bristol City vs Sunderland

Match preview

Bristol City picked up another point last weekend with a 1-1 draw away at Queen's Park Rangers, keeping them in fifth place going into the Easter break.

In their last 10 Championship games, only Burnley have picked up more points than the Robins' tally of 19, helping them to move four points clear of the teams outside the play-off places.

However, it will not be an easy finish for Liam Manning's men, who face Sunderland and Leeds United, as well as a Luton Town side fighting for their lives at the foot of the table.

So Manning will be hoping his side can replicate the excellent home form that has seen them take 16 points from their last six games at Ashton Gate.

The hosts will also have some good omens going into the game, having won three in a row on Good Friday and are unbeaten in four meetings with Sunderland.

However, Sunderland's record at Ashton Gate is not one to be worried about, with only one defeat and two wins in their last four trips, which is as many wins as they had enjoyed in their previous 15 games.

The Black Cats are one of the few clubs with nothing to play for in the final four games of the season, as fourth place is sealed and the gap to third and fifth is considerable.

For Regis Le Bris' men, it is all about preparing for the play-offs, where Bristol City could be waiting, so this could be an opportunity for a dress rehearsal, but any of five clubs are still in contention for fifth.

The visitors will be hoping to respond to last weekend's underwhelming home defeat to Swansea City, which saw Sunderland go two games without a goal, and finding the back of the net has been a problem in recent months.

In their last 10 games, only Luton (seven) have scored fewer goals than Le Bris's side (eight), so with a couple of favourable fixtures against Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United and QPR coming up, Sunderland will be hoping to build some momentum ahead of the play-offs.

Recent Performance

Bristol City Championship form:DWLWWD

Sunderland Championship form:DLWWDL

Team News

Bristol City have a largely fit squad for this game, with Luke McNally the only first-team regular currently sidelined with a knee injury. The hosts are also without Ayman Benarous, who has been ruled out for the season with a serious hamstring injury.

Sunderland are not quite as fortunate, with Le Bris struggling with a number of injuries, most notably to defensive pair Dennis Cirkin and Dan Ballard.

Aji Alese and Niall Huggins are also out at the back, while Liverpool loanee Jayden Danns has yet to make an appearance since joining the club in January.

Possible starting lineup

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Vyner, Dickie, Pring; Hirakawa, Williams, Knight, McCrorie; Bird, Wells, Earthy

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Hjelde; Neil, Rigg, Browne; Roberts, Isidor, Le Fee