Bristol Cityvs.Portsmouth

Meanwhile, the relegation-threatened visitors will try to produce a response after they fell to a narrow defeat in their Boxing Day clash with Watford.

Match preview

Bristol City will have the chance to end the calendar year with back-to-back victories after they edged out Luton Town on Boxing Day to end a four-game winless run.

Scott Twine scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 win over the Hatters, making it three home games without defeat for Liam Manning's side.

The 11th-placed Robins, who are seven points adrift of the top six, will now turn their focus to Sunday's clash against Portsmouth, with the hosts looking to claim consecutive league wins for the first time since March/April.

Bristol City are seeking revenge against John Mousinho's side after falling to a heavy 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at Fratton Park on December 7.

While they would have been disappointed with that result, the Robins can take confidence from the fact they are unbeaten in their last six home games against Portsmouth (W2, D4).

They will hope to avoid another underwhelming end to the year after playing out a goalless draw against Millwall and Birmingham City in their final outings of 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Portsmouth are sitting just one point above the bottom three, having won four, drawn eight and lost nine of their 21 matches this season.

Pompey recorded the most recent of those four victories in last Saturday's home clash against Coventry City, claiming a commanding 4-1 win to extend their unbeaten home run to four matches (W3, D1).

Unfortunately for Pompey, they were unable to take anything from their Boxing Day encounter with Watford despite taking the lead through Zach Swanson's 10th-minute opener.

Edo Kayembe equalised from the spot following the award of a controversial penalty, before Rocco Vata netted a 95th-minute winner to condemn Portsmouth to a 2-1 defeat, leaving them without a win in their last six away games.

Pompey have now conceded 26 goals in their 11 Championship away matches, with only Plymouth conceding more goals on their travels this season.

Portsmouth will try to produce a strong defensive display in their final match of 2024, as they go in search of their first away league win over Bristol City since recording a 2-0 victory in September 1991.

Bristol City Championship form:

W

L

D

D

L

W

Portsmouth Championship form:

D

W

D

L

W

L

Team News

The hosts remain without Joe Williams, Kal Naismith and Mark Sykes, although the latter two are making progress in their respective injury recoveries.

Forward Sinclair Armstrong is set to miss a fourth straight game after picking up a hamstring injury earlier this month.

Sam Bell could be in contention to make his first start of the season after featuring as a half-time substitute in the Boxing Day win over Luton.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the defensive quintet of Jordan Williams, Conor Shaughnessy, Ibane Bowat, Regan Poole and Jacob Farrell.

Mousinho is also without Harvey Blair, Kusini Yengi and Mark O'Mahony, while Matt Ritchie will have to be assessed after he was forced off with a dead leg in the opening stages of the second half.

If Ritchie is unable to start, Paddy Lane could be given the chance to make his 10th start of the Championship season.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Vyner, Dickie, McNally; McCorie, Knight, Bird, Pring; Hirakawa, Twine; Bell

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Schmid; Swanson, Pack, Towler, Ogilvie; Potts, Dozzell; Murphy, Lang, Lane; Bishop

We say: Bristol City 2-1 Portsmouth

Written by

Ben Sully

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