MX23RW : Sunday, December 22 19:46:21| >> :120:6490:6490:
[monks data]
Bristol City
Championship | Gameweek 9
Oct 12, 2022 at 7.45pm UK
Ashton Gate Stadium
Preston North End logo

Bristol City
2 - 1
Preston

Atkinson (54', 90')
Dasilva (34'), Vyner (67'), Weimann (81')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Hughes (82')
Lindsay (29'), Woodburn (78'), Cunningham (84'), Brady (90+6')

Preview: Bristol City vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Bristol City and Preston North End, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Since this article was published, this match has been postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Bristol City will look to continue their quick rise up the Championship table on Saturday, when they welcome Preston North End to Ashton Gate.

The hosts are unbeaten in their last six league outings, while the visitors make the trip on the back of their first Championship defeat of the season.


Match preview

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson after the match on January 15, 2022© Reuters

Bristol City had to endure a slow start to the new Championship season, losing their opening two games against Hull City and Sunderland before only being able to draw away at newly-promoted Wigan Athletic.

The Robins were then able to post a first league win at home to Luton Town and made it two 2-0 victories on the bounce as Tommy Conway and Rob Atkinson got on the scoresheet in a Severnside Derby triumph over rivals Cardiff City.

Hoping to build on that newly-found momentum, Nigel Pearson's side looked to have taken all three points away at Blackpool in a 3-2 win, courtesy of goals from Conway and Antoine Semenyo alongside a Marvin Ekpiteta own goal, only to be forced to share the spoils in the 90th minute as Theo Corbeanu hit a leveller, but they were quickly able to return to winning ways against Huddersfield Town.

Semenyo was again on the scoresheet with Nakhi Wells also finding the net in a 2-0 win, before the Robins again made in consecutive wins in impressive fashion last time out, eventually beating Blackburn Rovers 3-2 away from home as Wells notched up a brace after Conway's first-half opener.

Such an upturn in form from Pearson's men, who have now amassed 14 points in the last six games, has seen them rise to fourth spot in England's second tier, and they will aim to keep building momentum with a third win on the bounce this weekend.

Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe on August 20, 2022© Reuters

They take on a Preston North End side fresh off a first league defeat of the campaign after their start to the season was defined by an impeccable defensive record.

Ryan Lowe's side began the Championship season with a seven-game unbeaten run, but with only two victories in that time - both 1-0 triumphs - with every other fixture finishing as goalless stalemates.

The second of those victories came at the end of August, as Emil Riis Jakobsen netted his side's second league goal of the term in their seventh outing to take their tally to 11 points before heading into a home game against Birmingham City last weekend.

The Lilywhites' impenetrable defence was finally broken down in that contest, as the visitors took an early lead through Maxime Colin, and Lowe's side were unable to find an equaliser, falling to a first defeat as a result.

With concerns growing about their attacking capabilities, Preston will be desperate to return to winning ways at the weekend but face a particularly tough test away from home.

Bristol City Championship form:
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W

Bristol City form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W

Preston North End Championship form:
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • L

Preston North End form (all competitions):
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L


Team News

Tommy Conway celebrates scoring for Bristol City on August 21, 2022© Reuters

Bristol City remain without defender Thomas Kalas, meaning the back three of Rob Atkinson, Kal Naismith and Zak Vyner will again be left untouched for Saturday's contest.

Further forward Antoine Semenyo will be hoping for a starting berth after his run of goals off the bench, but he faces tough competition with the attacking duo of Tommy Conway and Nakhi Wells having already netted four goals each in the league this term.

They should both keep their places with additional support from Andreas Weimann, who has contributed three goals and four assists so far in the Championship after scoring 22 times and assisting 10 goals in the league last time around.

Preston's strength this season has certainly come from their back three and goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, and since Andrew Hughes's injury, Greg Cunningham has come in to join Jordan Storey and Liam Lindsay in defence.

Emil Riis Jakobsen should again be trusted to lead their faltering attack, with Ched Evans and Troy Parrott likely fighting for the spot alongside the Dane.

Further back, Ryan Ledson should come back in to join Ben Whiteman at the base of midfield, while Ali McCann was preferred over Daniel Johnson in a more advanced role last time out, although both may have to watch from the bench if Alan Browne is deployed ahead of Whiteman and Ledson.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Vyner, Naismith, Atkinson; Sykes, James, Scott, Dasilva; Weimann; Wells, Conway

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Cunningham; Potts, Whiteman, Ledson, Brady; Browne; Parrott, Riis


SM words green background

We say: Bristol City 2-0 Preston North End

Preston's perfect defensive record has finally been put to an end, and they take on one of the league's most dangerous attacking units at the weekend.

The Robins come in with plenty of momentum, and they should capitalise on their visitors' lack of confidence on Saturday and put another win on the board.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


ID:494164:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12321:
Written by
Sam Varley

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Bristol City vs Preston

Bristol City
31.0%
Draw
23.8%
Preston North End
45.2%
84
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Swansea City manager Russell Martin celebrates after the match on February 28, 2022
Read Next:
Wednesday's Championship predictions including Stoke City vs. Swansea City
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Lions
@
Bears
6pm
Browns
@
Bengals
6pm
Patriots
@
Bills
6pm
Titans
@
Colts
6pm
Giants
@
Falcons
6pm
Rams
@
Jets
6pm
Cardinals
@
Panthers
6pm
Eagles
@
Washington
9.05pm
Vikings
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
49ers
@
Dolphins
9.25pm
Jags
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
2Leeds UnitedLeeds22136341152645
3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!