Bristol City (A) | Match Preview
The Game
Bristol City v Argyle. Ashton Gate. Tuesday, 19 September. 7.45pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Bristol City have nine points from their six games so far, and sit 10th in the early Sky Bet Championship table. They are unbeaten away, but yet to win at home.
City began with a 1-1 draw against Preston North End, and then won 1-0 at Millwall. A 2-0 home defeat to Birmingham City was followed by another 1-1 draw, this time at Hull City, and then a 2-1 win on the road at Swansea City. Most recently, on Saturday, the Robins drew 0-0 at home to West Bromwich Albion.
In the Carabao Cup, Bristol City beat Oxford United 5-1 in the first round, then lost to Norwich City in round two.
The Gaffer
Nigel Pearson took over as Bristol City manager in February 2021, following the departure of Dean Holden. City finished that season in 19th place, and under Pearson's stewardship they have steadily improved, finishing 17th then 14th in the last two seasons.
In a playing career from 1981 to 1998, Pearson played for Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough. He went into management with Carlisle, and has also taken charge of Southampton, Leicester City, Hull City, Derby County, OH Leuven and Watford.
The Squad
Last season's top goalscorer Nahki Wells notched 11 goals in the campaign, and has one so far this time round. Midfielders Sam Bell, Matty James and Mark Sykes have all chipped in this season so far.
In the summer, City sold promising teenager Alex Scott to Bournemouth, and brought in, along others, defender Rob Dickie from Queens Park Rangers, and midfielders Jason Knight and Ross McCrorie from Derby County and Aberdeen respectively.
Defender Zak Vyner, who played 17 times in a loan spell with Argyle in 2018, is a regular in the City team, and has just reached 150 games for the Robins.
Fancy a Stat?
Away from home this season, Bristol City have seven points from a possible nine, are unbeaten, and have scored four goals. At home, they have just two points from a possible nine, are yet to win, and have scored once.
The History
Argyle have played Bristol City 68 times. The Greens have won 26 of those encounters, 14 have been draws, and City have won the other 28.
The sides have not met in league action since 2010, in the Championship. In that season, City won 3-1 at Ashton Gate, with Argyle winning 3-2 at Home Park. The most recent clash in any competition was in 2018, when Argyle won 1-0 in a Carabao Cup tie.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be wearing their white away kit for this game.
Tickets
This game is sold out for Argyle supporters. Please do not travel to Bristol without a valid ticket.
Tickets will be available for collection at the Home Park Ticket Office until 1pm on Tuesday, 19 September. Any uncollected tickets will be available on the day at Ashton Gate, from the away turnstiles office, from 6.15pm.
If you have paid for postage and they have not arrived, please call 01725 907700 or email the Home Park Ticket Office (tickets@pafc.co.uk) by 1pm on Tuesday, 19 September for us to be able to arrange duplicates for collection.
Argyle TV
Commentary will be provided from Ashton Gate by Charlie Price and former Argyle forward Ryan Brunt.
Argyle TV’s pre-match show, hosted by Erin Black and Ian Stonebridge, will begin at 6.45pm, and is available to watch for free on YouTube.
The match is available for domestic and international supporters to stream on Argyle TV. Buy a match pass to watch the game, here.
