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Bristol City to usher in new era with long-overdue victory against strugglers Hull City



In-turmoil Bristol City host relegation-threatened Hull City at Ashton Gate on Wednesday, with a new man in the charge for the first time in four-and-a-half-years as interim manager Dean Holden replaces Lee Johnson.


Former Barnsley and Oldham boss Johnson was sacked after The Robins collapsed to four consecutive losses following the restart, culminating in a 1-0 Severnside derby loss to Cardiff on Saturday.


The results have seen City slump to 12th in the table, with a nine-point margin separating them and the now seemingly unreachable play-off positions.


It means that all wheels will be in motion for owner Steve Lansdown to find and secure the man to lead them into a new era, with suggestions of former Brighton hero Chris Hughton being the pick of the bunch.


Meanwhile, Hull face a battle of their own to remain in the Championship for next season, as they sit just one point ahead of Middlesbrough in the relegation zone in 21st, with only five games left to play.


With second-division specialist Neil Warnock having taken over at The Boro, Tigers boss Grant McCann will be aware that they need to pick up points to avoid slipping through the trapdoor.


Last time out his side lost 4-2 to West Brom but they recently picked up a win over Middlesbrough, along with another draw and loss against Birmingham and Charlton respectively since the restart.


Liverpool-loanee Herbie Kane, who has notched two goals for The Tigers in the last three games, has since been ruled out for the remainder of the season through injury.


On the other hand, Bristol City had a number of big names absent from their recent loss which could see a return, with the likes of Kasey Palmer and Nicolas Eliasson missing out through last-minute knocks.


Top league goalscorer

Bristol City: Famara Diedhou (10)


Hull City: Tom Eaves (5) - Winger Jarrod Bowen also netted 16 times this season for Hull, bagging himself a January move to West Ham in the process.


Player to watch

Benik Afobe: Despite City not finding the net in the last two games and Afobe being deservedly dropped to the bench by Johnson for that fateful Cardiff game, I expect to see a rejuvenation under the new temporary gaffer, as there often is.


Although he hasn’t scored since the restart, he has flashed wide a number of half-chances - particularly in their loss Nottingham Forest, and whether he comes off the bench or makes a start it’s likely that more chances will fall at his feet.


Having scored just three times in seven starts during an injury-stricken season, two of those came in one match when he bagged a brace away to Hull all the way back in August.


It seems highly unlikely that the on-loan Stoke striker will be staying at BS3 next season, whoever is appointed as Johnson’s permanent successor, but Afobe will know that every game now is an excellent opportunity to put himself in the shop window.



Match Preview written by Alfie House


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