Bristol City are next in action on Monday evening when they face Leeds United at Elland Road but their top six rivals all play on Saturday afternoon

07:00, 26 Apr 2025Updated 07:12, 26 Apr 2025

Liam Manning and Bristol City aren’t in action until Monday evening(Image: Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)

Liam Manning admits he “would be lying” if he were to say he wouldn’t be keeping an eye on how Middlesbrough, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers fare in their respective matches on Saturday afternoon but the Bristol City boss insists he “won’t obsess” over how the Robins’ top six rivals get on.

The Reds have a rare free weekend in their calendar after their clash with Leeds United at Elland Road was moved to Monday evening having been selected for broadcast by Sky Sports. However, the majority of the teams in the Championship are still in action over the weekend including fellow play-off hopefuls Coventry City, Boro, Millwall and Blackburn.

Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues face Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Saturday lunchtime while Boro, Alex Neil’s Lions and Rovers take on Norwich City, Swansea City and Watford respectively later in the afternoon. Although the result of Coventry’s game will have very little immediate bearing on the Robins, Manning’s side’s place in the top six will be secured without the Reds even kicking a ball should Millwall, Blackburn and Middlesbrough all lose.

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While the majority of supporters will more than likely be glued to their phones over the course of the afternoon, Manning is insistent his focus will be elsewhere, even if he might check in on an occasion or two.

“Yeah, of course, I’ll have an eye,” the head coach told Bristol Live in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon. “Whether I get to a game or not I don’t know, I might go and watch a game but of course, I’ll follow the results.

“I would be lying if I were to sit here and say I won’t have a look at it. I won’t obsess over it every two minutes but it will be one of those. Just as a football fan, any Saturday I’m off when there are games on I’ll follow the scores and try to get to a game so my Saturday won’t be any different.”

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Regardless of what happens in Saturday afternoon’s fixtures, a win over Leeds United on Monday evening will be enough to book the Robins’ place in the top six. Daniel Farke’s side have already secured their spot in next season’s Premier League, with their promotion to the top flight confirmed following Burnley’s win over Sheffield United on Easter Monday.

Although the late alteration to the timing of the match has had a major impact on supporters, and will affect City’s preparation in terms of scheduling, Manning is adamant it will be business as usual for him and his side with the Robins’ focus remaining on the factors within their control rather than outside influences.

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“It changes the days we train and we’re off but in terms of the prep and the way we go around it, not at all,” explained the City boss when asked about the change in kick-off time. “We’re in today, in tomorrow, in at the weekend and then obviously travel up and try to bounce from the other day into a game that we should look forward to, to be fair.”

“Anytime you go there, it’s a terrific atmosphere,” Manning continued. “It is what it is, enjoy it, but do us. I think that’s the biggest bit, not being in awe of it.

“We’ve been to places like Sheffield United and Sunderland, gave a terrific account of ourselves and arguably could have come away with more than what we got in those two games, but it’s the same message, go and do us, go and be brave, go and hit the level that we’re capable of and we’ll be in the game if we do.”

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