Bristol City team predicted team vs Watford as Liam Manning set to consider formation change

Bristol City and Liam Manning will be looking to quickly get back to winning ways against play-off-chasing Watford when they travel to travel to Vicarage Road on Tuesday and the Reds boss could be set to opt for a change of system.

The Robins will be without Mark Sykes after Manning confirmed the winger had suffered a minor setback in his recovery and with both George Tanner and Ross McCrorie still working their way back from injury, the Reds' options at right-back remain incredibly limited.

On a more positive note, Scott Twine returned to the matchday squad for City's 1-0 defeat to Burnley on Saturday. Although the attacking midfielder was only named among the substitutes rather than in the starting line-up, he looked fully fit and full of energy during his second-half cameo from the bench.

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Similarly, Manning confirmed in his post-match press conference at Ashton Gate that the decision to take off George Earthy at half-time against Scott Parker's side was just a tactical one, rather than a result of an injury after the West Ham loanee went to ground following a tackle in the opening period.

The City head coach won't want to make wholesale after one defeat, especially considering his side's excellent record away from home in recent months, but a change of formation seems likely against the Hornets.

Here's how we think the Robins might set up at Vicarage Road...

Goalkeeper and defence

While he hasn't always been the most popular figure at Ashton Gate, Max O'Leary showed why he is Bristol City's number one with his work between the posts against Burnley. Although his kicking left an awful lot to be desired, albeit in difficult conditions, his save to deny Luca Koleosho was excellent.

Ahead of him, we think Manning will revert back to the four at the back that he finished Saturday lunchtime's game with as the Robins looked much more comfortable and effective in the second half than they ever did in the opening 45 minutes.

Rob Dickie and Luke McNally will start at centre-back. The former is one of the first names on the City teamsheet when fit and while the latter had a slightly shaky afternoon against his former side on Saturday, he has shown in his short Ashton Gate career so far that he can be a reliable defender when deployed in the right system.

That centre-back pairing will allow Zak Vyner to start at right-back. Although the academy graduate isn't a natural going forward whatsoever, he is the best option available to the Reds, particularly out of possession. Watford's attack has been incredibly lethal so far this season and City will have to be solid to keep them at arm's length.

At left-back, our bet is that Cam Pring will step in and replace Haydon Roberts. Manning was quick to laud Pring's display off of the bench in his post-match press conference and the Reds boss has made a habit of rotating his full-backs this term. With three games in seven days, it makes sense that Pring would get the nod this time around.

Midfield

The base of City's midfield all but picks itself at this moment in time and it would be a huge shock if Manning opted to drift from the pairing of Jason Knight and Marcus McGuane that has served him so well so far this season. Even though the Reds weren't at their best against Scott Parker's side last time out, their two deep-lying midfielders battled away well in the middle of the park and impressed in defeat.

Joe Williams' injury of course has left Manning with fewer options to pick from, so it will be interesting whether or not he feels that Knight and McGuane are capable of playing all three matches in what is one of the busiest weeks of the Reds' season so far.

Ahead of the deeper pair, we think Max Bird will continue as the Robins' number 10. The former Derby County man wasn't at his best against Burnley, but he still carved out City's best scoring chance of the game as he floated an excellent through ball into the path of Yu Hirakawa, only for the Japanese winger's touch to let him down as he was baring down on goal.

Of course, the fit-again Twine could slot into that central role instead of Bird but it would be an overreaction to drop the 23-year-old from the starting line-up in its entirety given his excellent performances during Twine's absence.

Instead, our bet is that City's marquee summer signing will slot in again on the left in place of Anis Mehmeti, assuming that he is fit enough to feature from the off. Although Mehmeti impressed in the lead-up to the international break, the Albanian international was sloppy in possession at the weekend and that could well have put his place in jeopardy. While Twine has proven to be a divisive figure among supporters, Manning is a big fan of the attacking midfielder and tends to find a way to start him whenever he is fit and available to feature.

On the opposite flank, Hirakawa should be restored to the starting XI and replace Earthy. The Japanese winger gave the Robins a greater attacking intent when he was introduced on Saturday and although Earthy didn't do an awful lot wrong, the likely change of system will make it incredibly difficult for the West Ham loanee to maintain his place in the team.

Striker

Barring the goalkeeper, this has got to be one of the safest positions in the Bristol City team currently. Nahki Wells remains the Robins first choice number nine and barring any surprise injury or fitness concern, he will lead the line again at Vicarage Road.

Manning has suggested that both Fally Mayulu and Sinclair Armstrong will be given chances over the festive period, but the City boss has also challenged the forwards to grab those opportunities when they arise. Both players were introduced in the second half of Saturday's game, Mayulu much later than Armstrong, and neither of them had the desired impact in the final third of the pitch.

Therefore, both young strikers will almost certainly have to take their place on the bench once again behind Wells.

Bristol City XI (4-2-3-1): Max O'Leary; Cam Pring, Rob Dickie, Luke McNally, Zak Vyner; Jason Knight, Marcus McGuane; Scott Twine, Max Bird, Yu Hirakawa; Nahki Wells

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