Bristol City have hit some momentum heading into Saturday's game at Derby and are currently enjoying a run of three games without defeat following a productive Easter weekend.
A disappointing draw at home to Peterborough was followed up by an impressive away win at Stoke before a hard-fought point at home to play-off hopefuls Sheffield United.
Saturday's contest at Pride Park will offer a different and unique contest against a side that were relegated to League One last weekend. With their fate already sealed, Wayne Rooney's team could offer an unpredictable test and Nigel Pearson will know his players will have to be at their best to leave the Midlands with the points.
Pearson continued to ask his players to show consistency in their performance and challenged them to put on a showing that matches the club's ambition to be a competitive outfit at Championship level.
They can also take confidence from the reverse fixture where Alex Scott's 16th-minute strike was enough for City to take home the points
The manager provided an injury update on Thursday in which he gave positive news over Antoine Semenyo's fitness while admitting he was sweating on the fitness of Jay Dasilva.
With that in mind, here's how we think Bristol City will line-up to take on Derby on Saturday.
Goalkeeper and defence
Dan Bentley has had two eventful appearances in his last two outings. At Stoke, where he kept an impressive clean sheet, he was involved in a comical ruckus with Jacob Brown in which the duo both ended up wrestling each other over the advertising hoardings.
Both teams were later charged by the FA for failing to control their players and will learn their punishments next week. Against Sheffield United, Bentley's judgement to come for the ball on two occasions left the crowd holding their breaths before delivering a great pass to Antoine Semenyo in the build-up to Chris Martin's goal.
Pearson said on Thursday that "maybe he is feeling more confident" and the captain will lead the team out on the pitch once again.
In front of him, it will be the same three central defenders who have started the last seven league matches together. Timm Klose will play in the middle with the in-form Rob Atkinson to his left and Robbie Cundy to his right.
Both Klose and Cundy are still playing for their futures with their deals expiring at the end of the season and will be hoping to prove a point to the manager that they deserve an extension in Bristol.
At wing-back Alex Scott is likely to start on the right once again for the fourth consecutive match but it's the opposite side which remains doubtful.
Dasilva remains a serious doubt after twisting his ankle in the last outing forcing him off the pitch moments into the second half. Pearson said on Thursday that he will have to make a decision on his fitness on Friday and as one of City's most consistent players this year, he will be hoping to have him back although admitted he won't risk him needlessly.
Cam Pring is the obvious replacement for Dasilva on that left side and will be eager to impress after being left out of the squad last week in favour of Duncan Idehen.
Ayman Benarous filled the void on Monday but Pearson will likely opt for a more natural defender should Dasilva fail a late fitness test.
Defender George Tanner could also take that role having recovered from a hamstring issue. After featuring in the previous two Under-23 matches, he was left out of Tuesday's game with Colchester suggesting Pearson had an eye on this game.
Whether he is fit enough to start remains unlikely but he could provide extra defensive cover for the final 20 minutes if City are holding a slender lead.
Midfield
Pearson will be happy to welcome back Joe Williams to his side this weekend after being left out against Sheffield United with the manager not willing to risk playing him in two games across four days.
His return does pose a selection dilemma for Saturday, and he will be forced to decide whether to stick with Matty James and Han-Noah Massengo or bring Williams back in.
James remains a favourite of Pearson's and an important cog in the side from a defensive perspective having played the full 90 minutes in City's last seven games since the 1-0 victory over Blackburn.
Therefore, it is likely James will maintain his place in the side offering a layer of protection in front of the defence. Massengo endured a difficult first half against Sheffield United but improved immensely in the second period which was picked up by Pearson in his pre-match press conference.
When Williams and James are both fit, Pearson favours playing the pair as a midfield duo meaning Massengo has found pitch time relatively difficult to come by in recent weeks having made one start in the last four matches.
Question marks on his future beyond the summer may have also played a part in Pearson's team selection recently and one can assume that he will revert back to the midfield duo of Williams and James.
Andy King is also back in contention following his return from a hamstring injury but he is likely to be on the bench while Callum O'Dowda could also feature in the squad but is unlikely to feature.
Strikers
On Thursday, the manager described the strike force as the most competitive and difficult to break into following the form of Antoine Semenyo, Chris Martin and Andi Weimann.
He shared his sympathy for Nahki Wells who has found opportunities hard to come by throughout the season. The back-up striker had 20 minutes to impress on Monday following Semenyo's injury and was handed a golden chance in which he dragged wide of the left post.
Martin was rewarded for his endeavour and hard work with his 10th goal of the season against Sheffield United, firing home from close range after some superb work on the touchline by Semenyo.
The veteran also spent seven years at Derby and will be relishing a return to his former stomping ground although will undoubtedly have empathy for their drop into League One.
Pearson confirmed Semenyo is fine to start against the Rams and once again it will be Weimann who will play behind them as the search for the 20th goal of the season continues.
Weimann is also set to play against his old club having spent three years with the Rams that also included a loan spell with Wolves.
The game is also likely to give youngsters Sam Bell and Tommy Conway the opportunity to travel with the senior squad with the pair on the bench for the previous two matches.
Both were also on the scoresheet on Tuesday in the Under-23 victory over Colchester.
Bristol City (3-4-1-2): Bentley, Scott, Cundy, Klose, Atkinson, Pring, James, Williams, Weimann, Martin, Semenyo
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
