There would be no better time to get back to winning ways than in front of their own fans, which for the supporters will be the first time to see Dean Holden in action live from the touchline.
The Robins are fully aware of their form, with Christmas arriving after three-successive defeats. The last of those came at the hands of Preston North End last Friday.
It was a game where City lost out to a questionable penalty decision in a first half of little creativity. But Holden’s side dug deep and looked a threat – through Antoine Semenyo’s notably energetic performance - after the break with the Lilywhites somewhat fortunate to hold onto a point come the end of the game.
Holden said afterwards his side and staff will regroup to find a way to “snap out of this run” but there will be encouragement and positivity from that second-half display. Similar on Boxing Day will give the Robins confidence of getting a result against Wycombe.
As for the Chairboys, manager Gareth Ainsworth is hoping to avoid relegation at the first attempt, following Wycombe’s promotion via the play-offs in July.
The two clubs last met at the start of the 2016/17 season, which City won 1-0 in the League Cup. Ainsworth was still manager of the League Two side then and ended up naming himself on the bench due to an injury crisis, though he wouldn’t bring himself on to the pitch.
A year later Wycombe won promotion to League One, with their rise to the Championship confirmed when they went on to beat Oxford United at Wembley in the summer.
This is their first appearance in the second tier of English football but there is work to do if they are to ensure survival for another campaign. The Chairboys didn’t pick up their first point of the season until a 1-1 draw with Watford at the end of October, which they followed up with back-to-back wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City.
But their form since has been a handful of draws and more defeats with a share of the points secured against QPR last time out courtesy of Amis Mehmeti’s late goal at Adams Park.
Despite creating chances being one of their strong suits, goals themselves have been hard to come by with Wycombe having the fewest strikes converted in the Championship (12) ahead of only Sheffield Wednesday (10) and Derby County (nine).
With the New Year on the horizon, Wycombe will want to turn their fortunes around. However, City have the same idea as they look to keep pace with the play-off chasers at the other end of the table.
MATCH DETAILS
Where: Ashton Gate
When: Saturday, December 26th, 3pm KO
Competition: Sky Bet Championship
Referee: Keith Stroud
Assistants: Andrew Fox and Robert Merchant
Fourth official: Sam Allison
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DOWN MEMORY LANE
Wycombe Wanders 0-1 Bristol CityAdams Park
Tuesday, August 9th 2016
League Cup, First Round
Tammy Abraham’s second goal in as many games was enough to secure Bristol City’s place in round two of the EFL Cup.
The loan signing from Chelsea followed up his equaliser against Wigan Athletic on the opening day of the league campaign with a low shot that found the bottom corner in the 27th minute at Adams Park.
The Sky Bet League Two hosts had their chances to force extra time, but Richard O’Donnell was in inspired form when called upon and a much-changed City side saw the job through.
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Tammy scored the only goal of the game as City beat Wycombe the last time they met
HEAD TO HEAD*
Bristol City v Wycombe Wanderers
Played: 20
City won: 9 (45%)
Drew: 4
City lost: 7
Bristol City goals: 26
Wycombe goals: 12
Bristol City top goalscorers: Nahki Wells (5)
Wyconbe top goalscorer: Scott Kashket (4)
Bristol City most assists: Antoine Semenyo (6)
Wycombe most assists: Joe Jacobson (3)
Bristol City clean sheets: 8
Wycombe clean sheets: 3
League positions
Bristol City: 9 (30 points)
Wycombe: 24th (12 points)
*All competitions unless stated
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Daniel Johnson converted from the spot in City's last game v Preston North End
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Callum O'Dowda went close to equalising in the defeat