Bristol City will see their Ashton Gate stadium house the biggest crowd for 22 years on Saturday when Newcastle United make the long trip for a Sky Bet Championship encounter.

With over 21,000 supporters expected to be in attendance this Saturday, it will see the Robins surpass the attendance for a 1-1 draw with Liverpool back in 1994 and is a sign of just how much the local Bristolians are buying into Lee Johnson’s side at the moment.

Johnson saw his side beaten 1-0 by Norwich City in midweek and he will be keen for his team to put on another spirited performance on Saturday, against another side backed heavily for promotion.

The Magpies have taken just three points from as many league games so far during the 2016/17 campaign, with Wednesday’s 4-1 victory over Reading going some way to make up for back-to-back losses against Fulham and Huddersfield Town.

Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at three players to look out for in this week’s showdown between Bristol City and Newcastle United.

Dwight Gayle

Dwight Gayle

The summer signing from Crystal Palace is the man tasked with scoring the goals to fire Newcastle United back into the Premier League, with his natural goal getting credentials vital to the Magpies.

Gayle has netted three goals so far this season and his past experience of playing in the Championship with Peterborough United and Palace could prove vital during the next few months.

The 25-year-old will be keen to open his account away from St. James’ Park this weekend and Bristol City will need to ensure they monitor the talisman closely.

Aden Flint

aden flint

The man tasked with stopping Newcastle hotshot Gayle will be Robins central defender Aden Flint, who has become one of the Championship’s hottest defensive properties over the last 12 months.

Flint is incredibly strong at the back for the Robins and his performance will go a long way towards dictating whether or not his team can claim a scalp and defeat the Magpies on Saturday.

The 27-year-old arrived at Ashton Gate in 2013 from Swindon Town and he has quickly established himself as a firm fan favourite, with 23 goals in 116 appearances in the red of Bristol City.

Matt Ritchie

Matt RitchieMatt Ritchied

The former Bournemouth winger was one of Benitez’s standout signings during the summer, given the Scotland international’s Championship credentials.

The 26-year-old was ever present in the Cherries team that won the second tier back during the 2014/15 season, netting 15 goals in the process for Eddie Howe’s men.

Ritchie played in all but one of the Bournemouth’s games during their maiden season in the top flight and boss Howe admitted, following the player’s move north, that the club didn’t want to sell such an important player.

Newcastle will be looking to call upon all of Ritchie’s Championship expertise this season and he must be watched closely by Bristol City this weekend.

Bristol City and Newcastle United fans, are these three definitely the ones to keep an eye on this Saturday? Who else should be kept a close eye on? Let us know in the comments below!