please log in to view this image City shift their focus back to the Sky Bet Championship for the first time in 2021 with Preston North End visiting Ashton Gate. In partnership with MansionBet, here’s a preview ahead of our next fixture... Just a point separates the two teams, who get set to meet again in the Championship a month after their last match up. A questionable penalty decision won the game for the Lilywhites at Deepdale back in December, with Daniel Johnson converting from the spot. Despite an improved second-half display, City were unable to force an equaliser in a 1-0 defeat a week before Christmas. City have won one and lost won since, with this being their first Championship fixture since December 29th, following the double postponement of the Brentford match. However, the Robins were successful in their first game of 2021 when they took on Portsmouth in the Emirates FA Cup, where Chris Martin’s memorable strike firing Dean Holden’s side into the fourth round. As for Preston, their 1-0 victory over the Robins started a three-game clean sheet and winning streak as they went on to beat Derby County and Coventry, before starting the new year with defeat at Nottingham Forest. Their FA Cup journey fell at the first hurdle too with Wycombe Wanderers running out 4-1 winners last weekend. But Preston have become a notorious 'bogey' side with City's long run of games without victory over the Lilywhites having stretched to 15 after December's outcome. The Robins last beat Preston on February 5th 2011 in a 4-0 win with Kalifa Cissé, now of the coaching staff, featuring in that game. MATCH DETAILS Where: Ashton Gate When: Saturday, January 16th, 3pm KO Competition: Sky Bet Championship Referee: Dean Whitestone Assistants: Adam Crysell and Mark Pottage Fourth official: Martin Woods DOWN MEMORY LANE Bristol City 3-0 Preston Ashton Gate Sunday, May 4th 2008 Sky Bet Championship City clinched the play-offs with a 3-0 Ashton Gate victory against Preston North End. Lee Trundle fired Gary Johnson’s side ahead, before he turned supplier for Michael McIndoe. The damage was done inside the first 45 minutes but David Noble added the icing on the cake early into the second half. City went on to defeat Crystal Palace en route to the Wembley final, where it was heartbreak at the hands of Hull City. HEAD TO HEAD* Preston v Bristol City Played: 92 City won: 26 (29%) Drew: 32 City lost: 34 Bristol City goals: 32 Preston goals: 37 Bristol City top goalscorers: Nahki Wells (5) Preston top goalscorer: Scott Sinclair (7) Bristol City most assists: Antoine Semenyo (6) Preston most assists: Daniel Johnson, Ryan Ledson (3) Bristol City clean sheets: 8 Preston clean sheets: 7 League positions Bristol City: 10th (33 points) Preston: 12th (32 points)
Has anyone noticed, the BBC on their early match coverage has/had the Bristol city shirts as their banner ...spaced out ! Might be an omen? for todays game. Wonder which way, I would hate to jinx the result but we might
Dean Holden makes three changes as his side return to Sky Bet Championship action. Kasey Palmer starts on his return from his loan spell at Swansea City, replacing Antoine Semenyo who withdrew this morning for personal reasons. Jack Hunt and Zak Vyner come back into the starting line-up in place of Tyreeq Bakinson and Adrian Mariappa. The strike partnership of Famara Diédhiou and Chris Martin continues after the pair netted in the Emirates FA Cup victory over Portsmouth a week ago.
Funny how he starts scoring when the transfer window is open and he's playing for a new contract or a move.......
The first 25 minutes was outstanding, everybody looked up for it and then we sat back and let them back into the game. Diedhiou probably having his best game ever in a City shirt and showed what can be accomplished when he leaves the far post at a set piece, Palmer started off great but then they started to put 2 players on him. Adelakum is working very hard. But how good is Zac Vyner in midfield? we really have a talented/versatile player on our hands. I would have liked to have seen a 2nd goal when we were all over them, still not really creating too much in and around the area but hopefully that will come.
Hardly what you would call 'free scoring'? and doesn't weigh in with many assists either. But hey if he can play like he has today so far, who knows? Of course in the past 48 hours, he is close to signing a new contract and then he may have to go in this window, clear as mud as usual.
At 13 goals in those 2 seasons, it shows me the issues we have had scoring. I have said many times how much I like Fammy, but he needs to many chances per goal.
The question is are we able to replace him with better, I doubt it, if we can then I agree, otherwise keep him
A great 3 points against a bogey team, but we cannot surrender the sort of midfield territory that we did in the middle 3rd of the game, we were lucky to not concede during that period. The defence was awesome, Rowe and Hunt did their jobs, Kalas and Mawson were superb, Palmer started off great and showed some of the creativity that we lack, I thought he was taken off 10 minutes too late, it looks as though his bout of covid had taken it's toll, Adelakum looked handy especially defensively. Vyner the man of the match by a country mile, if we can keep Kalas and Mawson fit central midfield is where we need him at the moment. Martin put a lot of effort in, Massengo had probably his best cameo in a City shirt since he arrived. If anyone doubts how frustrating Diedhiou is today was a classic example, scored a great goal and was terrific in every aspect of his game in the first half and totally anonymous in the 2nd half. For the 2nd game running against Preston their right back Fisher could and should have been sent off, but hey ho 3 points, a clean sheet, I just felt today the way we started we could have maybe scored 3 or more goals for first time this season in a league game.