Bristol City (A) – Chance to Capitalise on Cardiff’s Slip

A win away at Bristol City will see us go a minimum of ten points clear of second place and eleven of third place which is a superb cushion to have going into 2018. That will be easier said than done as we haven’t been playing to our usual, very high standards recently and Bristol City are a force to be reckoned with at home this season, as Man United found out in the Carabao Cup. They’ve scored fifteen goals in their last seven games at home in all competitions which include two Premier League scalps, one being the aforementioned Man United and the other, Crystal Palace, who they dispatched of with relative ease, coming out 4-1 winners in the end.

Three to watch

Bobby Reid – The Bristol City academy graduate has really made himself known this season as he started the campaign with five goals in his first five games. He’s not been as prolific recently as he’s only scored one in his last five but that does not mean he should be paid any less attention to as if you give him even half a yard, he’ll make you pay.

Aden Flint – This bloke is an absolute man mountain and you can’t leave him alone when it comes to set plays as he’ll be the one who nods home. This is why I am hoping Willy Boly is fit because they are a good match for each other and I feel Boly will be able to keep him quiet. He’s not the most mobile of defenders, so let’s hope our strikeforce can tear him a new one.

Frank Fielding – An ever-present in the Bristol City goal so far this season, he will have his understudy, Luke Steele, questioning his decision to move from Panathinaikos to Ashton Gate in the summer. The former England youth goalkeeper is exactly the player that Flint & co love having behind them as they know that even if they make a mistake, Fielding is there to tidy it up. Cue clanger. Hopefully.

Last meeting

Wolves 3-3 Bristol City                                                                                                                                                                Bonatini, Jota, Batth; Flint, Diedhiou (pen), Reid.

A topsy-turvy encounter saw the spoils rightly shared at Molineux in what was an entertaining six-goal thriller in the first league game of the season under the lights at Molineux. Bonatini gave us the lead in what was becoming typical Bonatini finish as he tapped home after being in the right place at the right time before Flint, who was clearly going to be a threat then as well, scored after we failed to clear a set piece which should shock no one.

Jota, who reacted first to a flick on from Bonatini after a corner, tucked it away to put us back in the lead after having a belting shot saved in the first half. Bristol City were then awarded a penalty as Vinagre forgot what sport he was playing and whacked the ball away in the penalty area which gave the ‘Robins’ more than ample chance to level for the second time. Diedhou did Ruddy with the eyes as he sent the England International the wrong way to make honours even once again.

The ball was then back up the other end as Jota was once again causing havoc in the Bristol City penalty area and this time it was the crossbar that was preventing him from doubling his tally for the evening after his rasping drive cannoned back off the bar before City dealt with the danger. Down the other end, Flint was causing bedlam again as he leapt highest from a corner and we once again forgot how to defend as the ball ended up at the feet of Bobby Reid who gave City the lead for the first time.

Ironically, with five minutes left, Batth equalised from a set play of our own as he was left completely unmarked as he headed smartly past Fielding in the City goal. That was that shortly afterwards as the referee called time on the game.

One more thing

It’s safe to say, this is nigh on impossible to call because it really does depend on what Wolves turn up; you have to feel if the Wolves that played against Blues in the second half turn up then Bristol City will have a field day, however, Nuno will know how important this game is psychologically. We win, we go 11 points clear of Bristol City, if we lose, before we play our next game, they could be three points behind us.

All things considered, if I was a betting man who is blinded by loyalty and luckily I am, I’d be backing Wolves HT/FT @ 11/4.