Bristol City predicted team vs Swansea: Changes likely with Randell and McCrorie decisions taken

Bristol Live’s predicted Bristol City team to face Swansea City as the Robins aim to bolster their Championship play-off hopes

Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber has decisions to make when it comes to Ross McCrorie and Adam Randell(Image: Getty Images)

With the emotions of midweek still fresh in the memory, Bristol City continue what is lining up to be a busy run of games leading into the March international break as they make the journey over the Severn Bridge to face Swansea City this weekend.

Prior to some major off-field change, with Tom Rawcliffe’s departure as CEO confirmed on Friday morning, the Robins closed – albeit only marginally – the gap to the play-off places on Tuesday evening when they hosted Wrexham at Ashton Gate.

The Reds’ first-half performance left Gerhard Struber’s side with plenty of work to do as they headed back down the tunnel at the break. Fortunately, a second-half display – kick-started by a triple change – proved to be enough for City to twice come from behind to salvage a point, which could have perhaps been three.

For Saturday lunchtime’s opponents, midweek presented a chance to recover. Swansea weren’t in action on either Tuesday or Wednesday night, with their last outing in the Championship seeing them travel to Pride Park to face Derby County last weekend.

The Swans’ trip to the Midlands proved not to be a fruitful one, as second-half goals from Rhian Brewster and Patrick Agyemang ensured Vitor Matos’ side, who currently sit 16th in the Championship, would head back to South Wales empty-handed.

Based on the league table alone, the Robins will come into this weekend’s clash as favourites, in the eyes of most, a tag that can provide a boost or serve as a burden.

However, it is unclear whether or not they will be able to call upon Adam Randell, who was withdrawn against Wrexham, or Ross McCrorie, who missed Tuesday’s outing with a concussion, as they look to make a splash in the battle for the top of England’s second tier.

Without a crystal ball at our disposal, we can’t know for sure if either player will be passed fit to play. That’s not stopped us from predicting the City team to face the Swans, though, so here is how we think the Reds will set up at the Swansea.com Stadium…

Goalkeeper and defence

Despite needing a new piece of headgear, a protective helmet like that of fellow countryman Petr Čech, against Wrexham in midweek, Radek Vitek kept his place in the Bristol City net. Although the stopper had one or two slightly shaky moments under crosses, he could do little about either of the Red Dragons’ goals and pulled off a couple of smart saves.

Assuming the cut on his head that made such headgear necessary hasn’t got any worse, we’d expect the Manchester United loanee to keep the gloves against Swansea, regardless of whether or not his new accessory is required.

Ahead of Vitek, however, there is probably more debate to be had about the makeup of the Robins’ backline. We have no doubt that some supporters will be keen to see a shift from a back three to a back four – like the one made midway through Tuesday night’s draw – in order for the Reds to pick up where they left off.

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While we don’t think such a shift is completely out of the question, Gerhard Struber has stood by a defensive trio for much of his tenure so far. For the most part, particularly away from Ashton Gate, such a set-up has served him well. We may well be proven wrong, but this time, we expect the City head coach to stand by a back three.

Barring any surprise injury, it feels as close to nailed on as it can be that the left and central members of that unit will be Rob Atkinson and Rob Dickie, respectively. Some fans may be keen to see Noah Eile replace George Tanner, who had a difficult night against Wrexham, but we think the 25-year-old is likely to keep his place.

Eile is still building up his fitness and workload following his deadline day move, while Tanner has been a regular starter under Struber. Our bet is that Eile will join one of Cam Pring or Neto Borges and possibly Seb Naylor on the bench.

Midfield

Now, who just starts for Bristol City in central midfield and at wing-back on Saturday lunchtime will likely come down to the aforementioned fitness of both Adam Randell and Ross McCrorie.

When available, it is not an exaggeration to suggest that both players are first choice in their respective positions. However, Gerhard Struber is not one to take risks with players who could be at risk. He’s already said City will tread carefully with McCrorie’s concussion, and while Adam Randell suggested he would be fit, we don’t know how he has reacted in the days since that draw with Wrexham.

There is a chance that both players will start against Swansea, but perhaps in order to lower our expectations, we’re going to predict the remainder of this team on the basis that it may be too soon for them to start.

With that in mind, we think it will likely be Mark Sykes who starts at right wing-back again in South Wales. Yes, the Ireland international wasn’t at his best in midweek, but he has shown in the past that he can be effective from such a position, particularly away from home.

Bristol City’s Mark Sykes in action against Wrexham at Ashton Gate(Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

On the opposite flank, our bet is that Neto Borges will keep his place ahead of Cam Pring. In all honesty, this is a toss-up, with our only reason to side with the Brazilian being the fact that he appears to have been Struber’s preferred option in recent weeks.

If we assume Randell’s record of starting every league game this term does come to an end on Saturday, it seems likely that Jason Knight will return to the starting line-up after a good cameo on Tuesday. The question then is, who out of Sam Morsy, Max Bird or Joe Williams partners him?

Our gut feeling is that this one will come too soon for Bird, and so far, the Robins have tread very carefully when it comes to Williams’ return. With that in mind, and you may feel we’re going with the safe choice, we’re going to side with Morsy.

Attack and striker

As was the case with the Bristol City backline, there are two ways Gerhard Struber can approach picking his front three to face Swansea on Saturday. The Robins boss can opt for a sole number 10 and two strikers, or two attacking midfielders and one centre-forward.

It would not come as a shock to us if Sinclair Armstrong and Emil Riis were to lead the line ahead of one of Tomi Horvat or Scott Twine, or if Delano Buzgorg were to get the nod to start off either the left or right flank.

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However, because of how it worked on City’s last away day, at Hull, we think the Reds head coach will opt to start both Horvat and Twine, with the Slovenian international the right-sided number 10 and Scott Twine deployed in a more left-of-centre role.

Such a combination had a massive impact on the final result at the MKM Stadium and will allow a combination of Max Bird, Burgzorg, George Earthy and Sam Bell to have an effect from the bench, depending on just who is selected.

Ahead of the two attacking midfielders, our prediction is that Armstrong will lead the line. Yes, the Irishman has had to play second fiddle to Riis for much of the campaign, but his second-half showing against Wrexham was more than worthy of getting the nod against the Swans.

Bristol City predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Radek Vitek; George Tanner, Rob Dickie, Rob Atkinson; Mark Sykes, Jason Knight, Sam Morsy, Neto Borges; Tomi Horvat, Scott Twine; Sinclair Armstrong

Bristol City predicted team vs Swansea: Changes likely with Randell and McCrorie decisions taken

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