Match Day Thread Bristol City v Birmingham City

Bristol City v Birmingham City
Big Match Preview: Birmingham City home

City return to Ashton Gate for one of their few remaining home games of the season when they host Birmingham City.

Their task of securing a play-off place continues against a Blues side fighting for their Championship lives.

The Robins suffered their first defeat of the season back at St Andrew's in August so they'll be out for revenge on Tuesday.

However, they haven't beaten the Blues in their last 14 attempts, so there's no better time to put an end to that unfortunate run.

FACTFILE
Formed 1875
Nickname Blues
Website www.bcfc.com
Twitter @BCFC
Ground St Andrew's
Capacity 29,409

HonoursSecond Division 1892/93, 1920/21, 1947/48, 1954/55
Division Two 1994/95
Division Two play-off winners 2001/02
League Cup 1962/63, 2010/11
EFL Trophy 1990/91, 1994/95
Birmingham Senior Cup 1904/05
Football League South (wartime) 1945/46


Last season
League finish 19th in Championship
FA Cup Third round, lost to Newcastle United
EFL Cup First round, lost to Oxford United
Top scorer Lukas Jutkiewicz, 12 goals
Player of the Year David Davis
Average attendance 18,717

HOW DID THEY GET HERE?
Birmingham City had to win at Ashton Gate on the final day of last season to preserve their place in the Sky Bet Championship.

It is ironic therefore, that they head back to BS3 almost a year on where a win tonight could prove crucial to their survival hopes once more.

Belief has been restored somewhat as they have managed improved form since Garry Monk replaced Steve Cotterill back in early March and they head south to Bristol with the aim of doing the league double over Lee Johnson’s City.

But the Robins need a win to keep their hopes of a play-off finish alive.

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Garry Monk
MEET THE GAFFER: GARRY MONK
Monk’s move to Birmingham City makes the club his fourth venture during his short time in management.

The former defender hung up his boots four years ago after a final stint as player-manager with Swansea. He was appointed permanent boss of the South Wales club in May of that year and enjoyed a 2014/15 season which included double wins over Manchester United and Arsenal. But poor form the following year saw his sacking come December before he took the reigns at Leeds United.

Despite early exits in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, his squad looked odds-on for a Sky Bet Championship play-off spot before a dismal run of form struck. He ultimately missed out on the 2017 play-offs and resigned from his role at Elland Road at the end of the season.

Monk took over at promotion-chasing Middlesbrough last June, but he now faces a test at the opposite end of the table with Birmingham City.

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Jacques Maghoma
STAR MAN: JACQUES MAGHOMA
Midfielder Maghoma has been the reliant star with both a handful of goals and assists for his team during what has been a tough season for the club and he has continued to impress during their revival under Monk.

The Democratic Republic of Congo international was a free signing at St Andrew’s in June 2015 following spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Burton Albion.

Maghoma, who scored in the reverse fixture back in August, looks set to play a key part in the Blues' fight to avoid relegation, who are without the suspended Che Adams.

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Stephen Pearson opened the scoring for City at St Andrew's in 2012
MEMORABLE MEETING: 2011/12
BIRMINGHAM CITY 2-2 BRISTOL CITYPearson 21, Stead 33; King 44, Zigic 61


A resurgent City side were inching closer to Championship survival after priceless back-to-back wins over Easter, and played some sparkling football in the first half at St Andrew’s.

Stephen Pearson opened the scoring in the first half at the end of a superb team move, before Jon Stead’s shot on the turn flew into the top corner to double the lead.

City were sitting pretty, but Marlon King’s goal back just before the interval was the catalyst for a swing in momentum.

Lanky Serbian Nikola Zigic tapped in a low cross from Chris Burke to ensure a share of the spoils, but City were a point closer to their target.

Birmingham: Doyle; Ramage, Davies, Caldwell, Murphy; Burke, Fahey (Gomis 36), Mutch, Townsend (Redmond, 76); King, Zigic (E Huseklepp, 89). Subs not used: Ibanez, Elliott.

City: Gerken; Carey, Amougou, Fontaine, Foster; Skuse, Cisse (Ephraim, 78), Woolford (Kilkenny, 89), Pearson; Stead (Adomah 73) Wood. Subs not used: James, Bolasie.

Attendance: 23,230.

AND FINALLY...
Officials
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
Assistant Referees: Matt Foley & James Mainwaring
Fourth Official: Kevin Johnson

Betting (via Sky Bet) - Odds correct at time of writing
City - 10/11
Draw - 12/5
Birmingham - 16/5

Gate Guide: Birmingham City
Monday, April 9th 2018

City play host Birmingham City in the Sky Bet Championship at Ashton Gate on Tuesday night.

Here’s a guide of what to expect if you’re heading to Ashton Gate.

ORDER OF EVENTS
09.00 - Coffee Shop & Store opens
09.00 - Supporter Services open (phones/online until 5pm)
12.00 - Sports Bar & Pizzeria opens
17.00 - Matchday ticket office opens
18.15 - Turnstiles open
18.45 - Team announcements
19.05 - Team out to warm up
19.45 - Kick-off - City v Birmingham City
20.30 - Half-time interval
20.45 - Second half begins
21.30 - Full time

STADIUM
The South Stand, Dolman Stand and Lansdown Stand will be open for home supporters, including the Family Area.

The Atyeo Stand will play host to the travelling Birmingham supporters.

TICKETS
A crowd of 19,000-plus, including around 900 away supporters, is already guaranteed.

The match will be pay on the day for home supporters only. To purchase a ticket, call Supporter Services. Alternatively, the Matchday Ticket Office - adjacent to the Atyeo statue - will be open from 5pm until kick-off.

The match is all-ticket for visiting supporters.

PROGRAMMES
As well as the usual selling points, programmes will be available for purchase in S2, S3 and D1 concessions. WellRed costs £3.

PARKING & TRAVEL
AG1, AG2 and AG4 First Bus routes will be operating as normal.

SPORTS BAR & PIZZERIA
The new Fan Village will be in operation, with a raft of food and drink outlets, while the Sports Bar & Pizzeria will also be open from midday.

STORE
The Store at Ashton Gate will open from 9am. Look out for special offers.

SUPPORTERS CLUB & TRUST BAR
Access to the Supporters Club and Trust Bar is via the Sports Bar & Pizzeria. Go through the main bar and up the stairs at the far end. The bar is on your left at the top of the stairs. There is a lift that takes you straight there as well.

RUCKSACKS
Ashton Gate Stadium asks supporters not to bring large rucksacks on matchdays, following advice from the National Counter Terrorism Office and Avon and Somerset Police.

Fans will still be able to bring smaller handbags into the stadium, although these will be subject to the usual search process.

An Ashton Gate spokesman said: “The searching process will always be subject to change and whilst there is no specific threat to any Sports Ground, we must ensure that we remain vigilant and the message to spectators is to ‘Be Alert not Alarmed’.”

If larger bags are brought to the stadium, they will be subject to a thorough search, with a bag and tag procedure in place.

BBC
Bristol City boss Lee Johnson has a fully-fit squad to choose from for the visit of Birmingham City.

Winger Callum O'Dowda played 57 minutes at Millwall after five months out with an ankle injury, and defender Hordur Magnusson (knee) is back in training.

Blues are unbeaten in four games under Garry Monk, having moved three points clear of the relegation zone.

Striker Che Adams, who scored the only goal at Ashton Gate last season, serves the second of his three-match ban.

Monk hopes that Sam Gallagher can overcome a calf muscle problem, or it could mean another out-of-position start for Jeremie Boga.

Bristol City, beaten 2-1 at St Andrew's back in August, start the night four points outside the play-offs in eighth, having won just three times since Boxing Day.

SAM's prediction
Home win 56% Draw 26% Away win 18%
SAM, the Sports Analytics Machine, is a super-computer built by @ProfIanMcHale of the University of Liverpool.

Match facts

• Bristol City have not beaten Birmingham in any of their last 14 league meetings since Wayne Allison's hat-trick in a 3-0 win in November 1993.
• Blues have not conceded a single goal in any of their last four league visits to Ashton Gate since a 2-1 win in September 2008.
• No player has been directly involved in more Championship goals this season than Bobby Reid (22 - 17 goals, 5 assists).
• Birmingham have not won consecutive away league games since a run of three in October 2015.
• Lee Johnson has lost all three of his Championship meetings with Birmingham, losing his only home game in that time on the final day of last season.
• Garry Monk's two away Championship visits to Ashton Gate have both ended in defeat, with Leeds in September 2016 and Middlesbrough in December 2017.

 

Bristol City FC‏Verified account@bcfctweets 4h4 hours ago

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IT'S MATCHDAY!

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@BCFC

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Ashton Gate

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@SkyBetChamp

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7.45pm

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Pay on the night

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BCTV+ (outside UK/IRE)

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bcfcsnap

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#BRCvBIR

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Can you imagine what will happen if we don't get 3 points tonight, LJ's name will be mud, I've got to say it now I will not be on that bandwagon later, you've got to make a judgement on the seasons performance and there is no doubt we are in far better condition than a year ago even if we do miss the play off's.

The transfer window activities will make or break LJ until then Up the City.

 

Bristol City FC‏Verified account@bcfctweets 13m13 minutes ago

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#BristolCity v Birmingham Ciity: Fielding, Flint, Baker, Kelly, Brownhill, Smith, Pack, Reid, Bryan, Diédhiou, Djuric. Subs: Steele, Pisano, O'Neil, O'Dowda, Paterson, Eliasson, Taylor. #BRCvBIR

 

Bristol City FC‏Verified account@bcfctweets 12m12 minutes ago

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A thigh injury sustained in training rules Bailey Wright out of tonight's game. Meanwhile, Matty Taylor returns on the bench. #BRCvBIR

Bristol City FC‏Verified account@bcfctweets 14m14 minutes ago

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#BristolCity make three changes, with Lloyd Kelly, Famara Diédhiou and Milan Djuric all coming in. Eros Pisano, Callum O'Dowda and Jamie Paterson make way. #BRCvBIR

 

Bristol City FC‏Verified account@bcfctweets 1m1 minute ago


79 - Second change for #BristolCity:

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Diédhiou

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Taylor

 

Bristol City FC‏Verified account@bcfctweets 37s38 seconds ago
GOAL: #BristolCity 3-1 Birmingham City, Taylor 84. #BRCvBIR

Fantastic, well done Matty....

 

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Brilliant riposte by Matty, I bet the blue flu are really pissed off...