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Bristol City
Championship
Dec 5, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Blackburn logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-0)
Hanley (59'), Marshall (87' pen.)

Preview: Bristol City vs. Blackburn Rovers

Sports Mole previews the Championship match between Bristol City and Blackburn Rovers.

Bristol City go into their clash with Blackburn Rovers only a point above the Championship relegation zone.

The Robins were beaten 3-0 by Rotherham United last Saturday, while Rovers were denied victory by a late Sheffield Wednesday equaliser.


Bristol City

Bristol City Manager Steve Cotterill during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Ashton Gate on November 3, 2015© Getty Images

City boss Steve Cotterill is adamant that defensive mistakes were the root cause of their defeat at the hands of Rotherham.

The Cider Army found themselves two down before half time, but Cotterill has insisted that the goals came against the run of play.

It certainly brought to an end a solid run of results, which included a win against Wolverhampton Wanderers and holding Hull City to a 1-1 draw.

However, although City have kept three of five clean sheets in recent weeks, the manner of their last two defeats may concern the Robins manager, after also losing 4-1 at home to Fulham and boasting one of the worst defensive records.

The West Country outfit also have one of the least potent attacks, but summer signing Jonathan Kodjia has proved a hit for City with eight goals in the league so far.

Nevertheless, City will need Kodjia's strikepower and more over the coming weeks, with matches against the likes of Derby County, Burnley and Reading.

Recent form: DLWDDL


Blackburn Rovers

Villa manager Paul Lambert gives the thumbs up against Swansea during the Premier League match on April 26, 2014 © Getty Images

Paul Lambert revealed that the mood in the Rovers dressing room was low after they were denied victory against Wednesday by Lucas Joao's late equaliser.

However, the former Aston Villa manager was quick to tell his players that they did not deserve to feel dejected, given the level of their performance.

Regardless of the result, Lambert's tenure at Ewood Park has started strongly with a win away to local rivals Preston North End and the point against the Owls.

The Scot has said that he is looking to mount a promotion challenge this season and he believes that the presence of Jordan Rhodes will help that bid.

Lambert has been quick to agree a new contract with Northern Ireland international Corry Evans, while Doneil Henry joined the club on loan from Aston Villa.

Young midfielder John O'Sullivan has moved to League One outfit Rochdale on a short-term loan deal.

Recent form: LWDDWD


Team News

Marlon Pack of Bristol City during the Pre Season Friendly match between Bath City and Bristol City at Twerton Park on July 10, 2015© Getty Images

City are definitely without the services of midfielder Marlon Pack after his yellow card at Rotherham earned him a one-match suspension.

With Kodjia seemingly a regular starter, Cotterill is likely to choose between Aaron Wilbraham and Kieran Agard alongside the Frenchman in attack.

The Robins may also look to reshuffle their defence, with Leicester City loanee Liam Moore possibly in line for a recall to the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, Lambert arguably faces a choice between Tom Lawrence and Chris Taylor, after the former was dropped against Wednesday.

Nathan Delfouneso and Danny Guthrie are also options for Rovers, if they opt for changes to their first XI.

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Fielding; Bennett, Ayling, Flint, Moore; Williams, Smith, Pack, Freeman; Agard, Kodjia

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Steele; Henley, Duffy, Hanley, Olson; Marshall, Evans, Akpan, Conway; Taylor, Rhodes


Head To Head

The Robins have a decent overall record against Blackburn, having won 16 games and lost 13.

However, since City's last win over Rovers in August 1991, the Lancashire club have won all four encounters.

Blackburn also recorded a victory on their last visit to Ashton Gate, edging out the Reds 5-3, courtesy of goals from Rhodes, Ruben Rochina, Nuno Gomes and Scott Dann.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Bristol City 1-2 Blackburn Rovers

Despite the manner of their defeat at Rotherham, City have proved a tougher nut to crack in recent weeks. That said, Blackburn's draw against an in-form Wednesday showed promise and they could sneak a win at Ashton Gate.



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Marlon Pack of Bristol City during the Pre Season Friendly match between Bath City and Bristol City at Twerton Park on July 10, 2015
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