Bristol City chase back to back away wins at Derby

Bristol City look to continue momentum at Pride Park as Struber faces a Derby side eager to rebound

Bristol City chase back to back away wins at Derby

Bristol City travel to Pride Park to face Derby County in the Championship this evening, with Gerhard Struber aiming for back-to-back away wins after a 0-0 draw with Charlton Athletic. Vitek is expected to start in goal with Max O’Leary sidelined, as City look for defensive stability behind a likely back three of Atkinson, Dickie and Vyner. Midfield options remain flexible due to injuries, but Knight and Randell are favored to start alongside a likely return for Bird off the bench or into a wider role.

Predicted Bristol City XI (3-4-2-1): Vitek; Atkinson, Dickie, Vyner; Hirakawa, Knight, Randell, McCrorie; Mehmeti, Twine; Riis. The squad also features promising youngsters on call, with Bird nearing a first start under Struber and Stokes among potential substitutes. Derby, smarting from a 5-3 loss to Coventry, will provide a different test in terms of physicality and set-piece threat, giving City a chance to test their shape against a strong, direct side.

Struber’s team-building is on display with every selection and every rotation. The early injury list tightens options but also pressures the squad to trust depth, a critical factor if Bristol City want to sustain any momentum. A back three with Dickie as a stabilizing figure signals a cautious approach, while the wing-backs Hirakawa and McCrorie offer width that could stretch Derby’s defense. The midfield pairing of Knight and Randell, with Bird ready to contribute from the bench, hints at a flexible approach that could adapt as injuries ease. Derby’s physical style will test City’s ability to defend as a unit and to break from deep, making this a telling early barometer of Struber’s plan in practice.

This game could redefine how far Struber has progressed in his rebuild. If City win, it would underline a growing sense that the squad can convert resilience into results away from home, a key step for a team still integrating new players and tactics. The outcome may also reveal how soon young talents can push for more minutes, signaling a longer-term shift beyond the current injury-led constraints.

Highlights

The result will add clarity to Struber’s selection priorities as injuries shape the early season landscape.