Bristol City v Wolves Form guide Wolves and Bristol City have both lost just three times this season in 24 Championship matches - but two of City's defeats have been at Ashton Gate. The Robins are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions, of which they have won six - including the last-gasp League Cup win over holders Manchester United. Wolves are unbeaten in 10 games, of which they have won eight. Wolves (45) have scored more goals than any other team in the Championship. City are the next best, on 39, level with sixth-placed Sheffield United. Nuno's side have also conceded the fewest league goals (19). Only four sides in the division have conceded fewer than City's 24 in 24 games. Bristol City top scorers: 12: Bobby Reid; 6: Famara Diedhiou, Aden Flint, Jamie Paterson. Wolves top scorers: 12: Leo Bonatini; 10: Diogo Jota; 7: Ivan Cavaleiro. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42494195 Preview: Wolves Friday, December 29th 2017 City return to the Gate for their final outing of 2017 as they go head to head with the league leaders, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Second-placed City can bridge the gap on high-flying Wolves in what should be a cracking game between two in-form teams. City are on a seven-game unbeaten streak, while Wolves have not lost since October - a run of 10 matches without defeat. FACTFILE Formed: 1877Nickname: Wolves, Wanderers Website: www.wolves.co.uk Twitter: @Wolves Ground: Molineux Stadium Capacity: 31,700 Honours:First Division winners (Premier League) - 1953/54. 1957/58, 1958/59 Second Division winners (Championship) – 1931/32, 1976/77, 2008/09Third Division winners (L1)– 1988/89, 2013/14Fourth Division winners (L2) - 1987/88 Last season: Championship: 15thFA Cup: 5th round, lost to ChelseaEFL Cup: 3rd round, lost to Newcastle UnitedTop scorer: Helder Costa, 12 goals.Average attendance: 21,570 HOW DID THEY GET HERE? Championship table toppers Wolves are showing no signs of slowing down in their bid to gain promotion to the Premier League. They have enjoyed a two-month unbeaten run in the build up to Christmas, setting themselves up nicely for a promising 2018. Striker Leo Bonatini has been firing on all cylinders, while defensively they have kept the most clean sheets in the division this season. It’s exciting times for Nuno Espirito Santo’s outfit from Birmingham, who are seeking a return to the big time after six seasons away. But Lee Johnson’s side have been one of only a handful of sides to take points from the Wanderers this season. The clubs drew 3-3 earlier in the year and the Robins have every chance of making it three points in front of their own home crowd this time around. Historically, Wolves have championed each of England’s top four divisions and have won both the FA Cup and League Cup competitions multiple times. please log in to view this image Wolves boss, Nuno Espirito Santo MEET THE GAFFER - NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO The Wolves boss may be new to management in English football but you wouldn’t know it, considering how he has guided them to top of the tree after only months in charge. A fresh face at the Molineux, Nuno (as he was simply known in his playing days) is a former goalkeeper who was part of the Porto squad which won the UEFA Champions League in 2004 under Jose Mourinho. He spent much of the 90s and early noughties playing in Spain before playing minimal first-team football at Porto. He went on to sign for Dynamo Moscow and Aves before re-joining the Portuguese side in 2007. His management career began five years ago and has involved stints at Valencia and Porto, before he arrived to take over at Wolves in May. please log in to view this image How will Bonatini fare against City's defence? STAR MAN - LEO BONATINI The loaned-in striker has hit the ground running in the Championship this season, being the club’s top goalscorer. Contracted to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, Bonatini, 23, spent a year-and-a-half on loan at Estoril of the Portuguese Liga. There he scored an impressive average of one goal in every two games, which caught the eye of Wolves scouts. He has continued to match that fine form this season. please log in to view this image Hutchinson scores City second against Wolves MEMORABLE FIXTURE - BRISTOL CITY 3-0 Wolves Division Three, Saturday October 26th 1985. Goals: Riley, Hutchinson, Walsh. Wolves displayed one of their worst Ashton Gate performances as they were easily beaten 3-0 by City, although it could have been a lot more. The hosts raced into an early lead courtesy of Glyn Riley, with Bobby Hutchinson doubling the lead five minutes before half-time. Alan Walsh chipped in with the third from the penalty spot after Steve Neville was floored by Nicky Clarke. City: Waugh, Llewellyn, Newman, Curle, Rogers, Riley, Pritchard, Hutchinson, Tong, Walsh, Neville. Reading: Barrett, Herbert, Barnes, Streete, Clarke, Stoutt, Purdie, Ryan, Ainscow, King, Wasell. AND FINALLY... OfficialsReferee: Peter Bankes Assistant Referees: Daniel Leach and Darren Blunden Fourth Official: Andy Davies Betting (via SkyBet)City 21/10 Draw 23/10 Wolves 13/10 https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/wolves-clash-made-all-ticket/ws/gate-guide-wolves-including-bus-times/ https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/gate-guide-wolves-including-bus-times/
Here's a link to their transfer targets too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal_national_under-21_football_team#Previous_squads
We have been warned. http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolves-star-issues-warning-ahead-986609
I’m excited, nervous and generally a wreck over this game!! Any of the 3 possible results are on the cards - it really is too close to call so I’m calling a draw. I’m trying to prepare myself for a defeat so I won’t spend the new year as miserable as fk. It’s as stressful being at the top of the table as it is the bottom. Oh for mid-table mediocrity!!!!!!
Didn't see anything in there to say we've been warned, just that he's looking forward to the game. No doubt Wolves have a great team - it's easy to chalk it all up to money, but money is incredibly easy to waste and doesn't guarantee success on its own. Maybe they've enjoyed a bit of luck too though in that the likes of us and Cardiff have had a good number of injuries we've had to contend with, whereas they've been largely unscathed. I think they have more of their first-choice players available and are likely less fatigued than ours, so that is why I'm expecting a defeat, albeit a narrow one. I'm hoping they're a touch arrogant though and we catch them out - one thing I like about this City team is that they're able to play in different ways depending on who they're up against. Wolves fans seem to think they'll prosper against a side who will try to play them and hit us on the counter, but I don't think we'll play into their hands like that. A lot of them are s**t up by the prospect of Flint!
'Wolves star issues warning ahead of Bristol City clash' I took my intro from this headline, it looks like a warning to me but you make your own judgement. http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wolves-star-issues-warning-ahead-986609
I know, I just think it the Post trying to make something out of it that wasn't really there. It's like when the headlines said SL 'snubbed' Jose Mourinho because he said something along the lines of he would prefer working with a character like LJ than him. It's what papers do.
I take your point Nick but I just enjoy imputting as many different and variable information items as I can, we get people looking in from every possible direction, they don't all contribute but they do enjoy or at least I like to think they do. I just think it's a bit of fun and that's how I approach it, selfish really but it keeps an old fool in touch.
80110ck5. There is a plastic match on at the same time. Manure are playing the Scummers, so the Merlin will be infested with Plastics wanting to see their crap. May end up watching the game at home.
Bristol City FCVerified account@bcfctweets 53s54 seconds ago please log in to view this image #BristolCity v Wolves: Fielding, Wright, Flint, Baker, Magnusson, Brownhill, Smith, Pack, Bryan, Reid, Paterson. Subs: Steele, Kelly, Vyner, Leko, Eliasson, Woodrow, Taylor. #BRCvWOL
Bristol City FCVerified account@bcfctweets 2m2 minutes ago please log in to view this image Just one change for #BristolCity as Matty Taylor is replaced by Jamie Paterson for the top-of-the-table clash, which is live on Sky Sports. #BRCvWOL
please log in to view this image Bristol City FCVerified account@bcfctweets 2m2 minutes ago please log in to view this image #BristolCity get this evening's @SkyBetChamp clash under way at Ashton Gate. Lee Johnson's side will defend the South Stand in the first half. #BRCvWOL
Bristol City FCVerified account@bcfctweets 3m3 minutes ago 4 - There is an electric atmosphere inside Ashton Gate as both sides settle into the game; no chances to report as yet. 0-0. #BRCvWOL
Bristol City FCVerified account@bcfctweets 40s40 seconds ago 14 - RED CARD! Batth is shown a straight red for his crunching challenge on Magnusson, who is currently receiving treatment. 0-0. #BRCvWOL
