Bristol City v Portsmouth

Any clouds that may have been gathering over Ashton Gate were dispersed by City’s away win at Leicester this week and they will be hoping that victory over Pompey tomorrow will ensure the fans are of a sunny disposition for the rest of the weekend.

It looks as though David James will again make way for Dean Gerken between the sticks and unless someone comes in with an acceptable offer for Nicky Maynard in the next 24 hours, the lively striker will hope to add to the three goals he has scored in as many appearances so far this term.

West Ham is the latest club to be linked with Nicky by the way which, by my reckoning, leaves Forest Green Rovers as the only club in the land not to show an interest.

Keith Millen is expected to – injuries permitting –stick with the line up at Leicester which was: D Gerken, L Nyatanga, J McAllister (M Woolford, 77), J Wilson, J Spence, J Campbell-Ryce, M Elliott, N Kilkenny (K Cisse, 80), C Skuse, A Adomah (R Taylor, 89), N Maynard

The only real concern is with left-back Jamie McAllister who hurt his knee at the Walkers Stadium.

Pompey won their first game in eleven at home to Reading on Tuesday evening and hope to welcome back striker Benjani as a member of the starting eleven for the first time since 2008 when he moved up to Man City in a £4 million deal. He then played for both Sunderland and Blackburn before returning on a free this August. A great bit of business for the Zimbabwe international.

Pompey’s line up against the Royals was: J Ashdown, G Halford, T Ben-Haim, J Pearce, L Lawrence (J Ward, 86), A Mokoena, H Mullins, D Norris, D Kitson, L Varney, N Kanu (Benjani, 75)

Some very familiar names and quality players in this team and so City won’t be taking a result for granted.

City also ended six successive victories for Steve Cotterill’s men back in March (636 minutes without conceding – a post-war league record for Pompey) and the lads from the south coast will be looking for payback.