Since returning to the Championship Bristol City have won three of their opening day games (Wigan, Barnsley and Coventry City), losing to Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday and drawing with Nottingham Forest.
A mixed bag of results but success against the just promoted sides, which may be a good omen for the opening weekend again here.
The Robins are not expected to make too many changes for this first game against Blackpool, though Bristol Live understands that young attacking midfielder Alex Scott impressed Nigel Pearson last week and in training in the last few days.
So much so that the 17-year-old is in line to start against the Tangerines on Saturday, his second start for the West Country side despite his tender years, and in the wake of a sparkling second-half display against Aston Villa the weekend before.
Pearson is keen to reward those players who do well in matches and also put in maximum effort at the Robins High Performance Centre. Unfortunately centre-back Tomas Kalas does not pass that selection criteria and the Czech International is to be on the bench again this weekend, with Rob Atkinson and Nathan Baker continuing their partnership at the back for the Robins.
Defence
Bristol Live also understands that Dan Bentley is to be named as captain on Saturday, after being skipper against both Aston Villa and Plymouth Argyle in the last two games. A couple of errors in pre-season will not change that.
Zak Vyner and Jay Dasilva are in line for the two full-back slots outside of the Baker-Atkinson central defensive partnership, that looks to be a good balance of raw power and skill at the back.
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Midfield
As well as Scott, Matty James is expected to play - and likely line up against his brother Reece who may line up for the Seasiders. And we tip Kasey Palmer to keep his place in attacking midfield, playing behind a main striker, after a good showing in the first half last week too.
That Scott-Palmer combination playing off James could potentially be something delicious, and after we called for it last weekend, it would be great to see that midfield foil come to pass - and excite Ashton Gate for the first time in many, many months.
Attack
We expect Andi Weimann to play on one flank, with Chris Martin continuing centrally, with that combination working well against Villa at times last weekend, even if the finishing did not match the standard of the build-up play.
Callum O'Dowda may retain his place on the other flank, or Nahki Wells could come into the side to add another genuine goal threat. The Bermudian is likely to be involved even if he doesn't begin the game.
It's the first game of the season, the chance to lay a marker, and the return of fans - to the tune of some 18,000 on Saturday - and it's a chance for Pearson's team to grab their first home victory since the current manager took charge, and send people smiling all across BS3 and beyond. By 'eck we hope they do it.
Predicted Bristol City XI: Bentley (c); Vyner, Baker, Atkinson, Dasilva; Scott, James; Weimann, Palmer, O'Dowda; Martin