Nigel Pearson warns against the emotional pull of the Severnside derby as Bristol City host Cardiff City

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Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson has stressed the need to play the game not the occasion in this weekend’s Severnside derby as Cardiff City make the short trip across the tidal waters of the mighty River Severn to face old foes Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

The tie is expected to attract a gate in excess of 20,000 with the visiting fans eagerly snapping up their full allocation of tickets, desperate to obtain their “football fix” as the restrictions have prevented them from attending sporting fixtures in Wales this year.

The Bristol City manager has laid down the ground rules for the tie. He has acknowledged the importance of the fixture to fans of both sides but stressed the need for “control over the emotional side of the game.”

Pearson would be no stranger to the complex atmosphere of derby days, having been associated with clubs such as Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton and Newcastle, all of whom know a bit about the importance of “Derby Day.”

For fans on the western side of this divide, many Cardiff supporters of a certain vintage even see this rivalry as more of a derby than the relationship between them and bitter foes Swansea City.

Well known Cardiff fan Russ Jones (@RussBJones) proclaimed via social media for example,  that “[Cardiff] City fans 50+ years old will tell you that Bristol [City] is the bigger derby for us.”

Swansea based broadcaster and well-known entertainer Mal Pope (@malpope) even threw in a desperate “Please!” when asked if the Severnside derby carried more weight than the animosity that existed between the Welsh capital and its westerly neighbours such is the standing of this fixture along the M4 corridor.

Pearson has slammed Robins’ star Tyreeq Bakinson for turning his back on the Ashton Gate outfit by moving to Ipswich Town ahead of the big clash but is in not in the mood to dwell on it as he anticipates a big battle. The 23-year-old, who also had a spell in Wales at Newport County, has not left Pearson rather annoyed after his departure.

For the visitors, it may still be too early for Wales star Kieffer Moore but expect fiery contributions from former Robins Marlon Pack and Aden Flint, who continues to be linked with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland.

As boss Steve Morison continues to put his faith in youth though, expect an appearance from Manchester City starlet Tommy Doyle. A midfield of Joe Ralls, Pack and Doyle seems likely for Cardiff.

Bristol City have won one of their last seven matches in all competitions, a 3-2 triumph over Millwall on January 2nd.

The Robins have faced Fulham in their past two consecutive fixtures and recorded two defeats, a 1-0 loss in the Emirates FA Cup at Ashton Gate which was followed by a 6-2 league defeat at Craven Cottage last time out.

Cardiff City also are in the midst of a slump and lost again last week to Blackburn Rovers, though one can expect the form to go out of the window in this local dispute