Bristol City face a stern test of their recent form this Saturday when they travel to face Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium. The Robins have lost their last two Championship matches, falling to 16th in the table with 14 points from 11 games.
Michael Skubala confirmed a welcome boost ahead of the trip, with Joe Williams and Lorent Tolaj back in contention for the squad after injury layoffs. "Joe Williams and Lorent Tolaj are in contention for Saturday’s squad, having both been out of action due to injury," the manager said. Their potential return comes at a key time as City look to improve on a record of just one win from their last six league outings.
Stoke's strong run
The challenge awaiting them is significant. Stoke City, managed by Mark Robins, are in excellent form, sitting sixth in the Championship with 19 points. They have won three of their last four matches, including a 1-0 victory at Derby County last weekend. Their home record shows three wins from five games at the bet365 Stadium this season, where they have scored ten goals.
Bristol City's recent results have been tight, with four of their last five matches decided by a single goal. Consecutive 1-0 home defeats to Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United have checked their momentum. The team's overall record shows four wins, two draws and five defeats, leaving them nine points adrift of the league leaders, Swansea City.
Looking for an away spark
City's performances on the road this season offer some hope. Their only away defeat in the league came at Southampton, with draws at Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic and victories at Preston North End and Burnley. They have scored nine goals in their five away matches, a more productive rate than their three goals in six home games.
The squad that lost to Sheffield United last time out featured Tickle in goal behind a back four of Tanner, McNally, Atkinson and Pring. They will need to be resolute against a Stoke side that has kept three clean sheets this term. The match kicks off on Saturday, 24 October, with Bristol City hoping to build on their last league win, a 1-0 victory over Watford in mid-September.
