Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia

Bristol Cityvs.Coventry

sportsmole.co.uk, 22 August 2024, 12:16
Both looking to record back-to-back successes in the second tier, Bristol City and Coventry City will clash in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The Robins managed to narrowly get the better of Millwall last time out, whilst the Sky Blues collected maximum points from a five-goal thriller with Oxford United.

Match preview

After an 11th-placed finish in the 2023-24 Championship season, ending up 11 points behind Norwich City in the lowest of the playoff positions, Bristol City are on a mission to genuinely compete in the upper echelons of the second tier this time around under the leadership of Liam Manning.

The Robins have enjoyed an unbeaten start to life in the league so far this August, with a second-half strike from summer arrival Fally Mayulu rescuing a share of the points at Hull City's MKM Stadium on August 10, before Saturday's hosts sealed their maiden victory of the term last weekend.

Frenchman Mayulu came off the bench to make the net ripple once again, this time against Neil Harris's Millwall side at Ashton Gate, where further strikes from Anis Mehmeti, former Queens Park Rangers man Sinclair Armstrong and Scott Twine resulted in a 4-3 win over the visiting Lions.

Despite their unbeaten start in the Championship this campaign, the Robins have suffered defeat in a competitive fixture, losing 1-0 at home to this weekend's visitors Coventry in the first round of the EFL Cup on August 13, when Ellis Simms's second-half effort proved to be the only decisive moment.

Looking to return to the riches and glamour of the Premier League following a multi-decade absence, Coventry City have endured a mixed start to their 2024-25 Championship term, firstly losing to Midlands rivals Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on the opening weekend of the season.

After failing to find the net at the Potters' Staffordshire home, the Sky Blues returned to their prolific ways last Friday night, when a brilliant brace from Haji Wright and a strike from right-back Milan van Ewijk secured a 3-2 victory over newly-promoted Oxford United at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Coventry will host Des Buckingham's U's for the second time in the space of a fortnight courtesy of their meeting in the next stage of the EFL Cup on August 27, but before that Mark Robins's troops will aim to get the better of Bristol City at Ashton Gate for the second time this month.

Looking to fight the likes of Simms and Wright for a spot in the Sky Blues' front three, Brandon Thomas-Asante moved across second-tier battlelines from West Bromwich Albion over the summer, with the former Salford City man hoping to become a fans' favourites at the CBS Arena, as he was at The Hawthorns.

Bristol City Championship form:

Bristol City form (all competitions):

Coventry City Championship form:

Coventry City form (all competitions):

Team News

Signing on loan from J1 League title contenders Machida Zelvia, Yu Hirakawa is yet to make his competitive debut for Bristol City due to an ankle injury.

Whilst the Japanese midfielder is targeting a return to action in September, Ross McCrorie and Rob Atkinson are also enduring spells on the sidelines.

A key part of the Coventry midfield over recent years, Ben Sheaf is currently in the visitors' medical room, fighting back from a leg issue.

Suffering a similar problem, Raphael Borges Rodrigues is yet to make his maiden appearance for the Sky Blues since an off-season switch from Macarthur in Australia.

In the absence of Sheaf, Coventry boss Robins should stick with a midfield trio of Josh Eccles, Victor Torp and new recruit Jack Rudoni.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Dickie, Pring; Williams, Knight, Sykes, Bird, Mehmeti; Armstrong

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Dovin; Van Ewijk, Latibeaudiere, Binks, Bidwell; Rudoni, Eccles, Torp; Sakamoto, Wright, Simms

We say: Bristol City 2-2 Coventry City

After both coming out on top of high-scoring affairs last weekend, we are expecting a goal-laden contest between Bristol City and Coventry on Saturday.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are likely to at least resolve the contract situations of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the coming months, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly already decided whether they intend to sign Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho on a permanent basis. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Bruno Fernandes has insisted that Roy Keane's criticism is a source of motivation for the Manchester United captain. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly likely to increase the asking price of Marcus Rashford ahead of the summer transfer window. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Jadon Sancho could still end up back at Manchester United next season as the winger faces criticism over his Chelsea spell. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk India and Maldives will play out an international friendly at the Polo Ground in Shillong on Wednesday ahead of the start of their Asian Cup qualifying campaigns next week. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Do not be fooled by Lionel Messi's small frame and footballing charm. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jorgen Strand Larsen has withdrawn from international duty with Norway. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's Champions League and EFL Cup final heartache should not precede a Premier League title collapse, former Reds striker Emile Heskey has exclusively told Sports Mole. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez and midfielder Marc Casado picked up injuries in Sunday's 4-2 victory over Atletico Madrid. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Michail Antonio has opened up on how he has reacted to his near-death car crash. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Tottenham have a list of potential replacements for if they decide to part company with Ange Postecoglou, talkSPORT understands. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly identified Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero as one of three centre-back targets. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle fans deserve their moment of glory with the Carabao Cup, but there may be excessive sentimental celebration attached to it. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Vietnam and Cambodia are set to face off at the Go Dau Stadium on Wednesday afternoon in an international friendly match. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Chris Wilder was caught on camera mocking Sheffield Wednesday during his post-match derby celebrations. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Thomas Tuchel will take charge of his first game as England manager this Friday as the Three Lions take on Albania, live on talkSPORT. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Former United States soccer star Alexi Lalas has highlighted a potential issue with the US Men's National Team. 17 March 2025 talksport.com England manager Thomas Tuchel is set to take charge of his first game on Friday night, but he won't be singing the national anthem. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Gennaro Gattuso was involved in a furious spat with a pundit live on Croatian TV after Hajduk Split's latest defeat. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Tottenham have one last opportunity to lift their first trophy in 16 years this season as a host of ex-stars continue to claim silverware. 17 March 2025 talksport.com It's all to play for in the hunt for Champions League football. 17 March 2025 talksport.com A fan's three-word verbal jab sparked a heated confrontation with Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United and AC Milan are reportedly among the clubs who are circling for one of Burnley's star defenders. 17 March 2025 talksport.com It's advantage Lionel Messi in his personal battle with Brad Guzan. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly identified a key Arsenal defender as a potential summer transfer target. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly learned how much they would have to pay to get a deal for Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga over the line. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk England boss Thomas Tuchel has added Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White to his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Emma Saunders was left touched after an emotional tribute from fans of Lens.