As pre-season play-off contenders, the Robins started the season in a shocking manner collecting embarrassing 6 points in the first 11 rounds, conceding 22 goals in those! However, it seems they started finally with showing their potential as they’ve made a run of three games without a defeat. Home win over Reading, keeping QPR on a draw and spoiling Tony Mowbray’s debut at ‘Boro is a good starting point for the climbing on the table. Injured players, Ribeiro, Maynard and Vokes will have a fitness test, while midfielder Cole Skuse is returning to the squad. Bristol City have one defeat at home against Preston (in May 2000.) since 1927.
Differently from City, Preston are living their ambitions. They were tipped for promotion (or closely avoiding it) and their previous games go in that direction. Only 4 wins of 14 games with defense line that is leaking too much (30 conceding goals, the most in Championship and keeping just one clean sheet) should be a trend for a whole season. In my opinion, dad’s little son Darren, simply is not for this level of competition. His attacking style had some “moments of madness” in 6-4 victory at Leeds (after 1-4 at the half-time), or in a Cup game against Stockport (5-0), but any side that can hold them for a while (which means almost every in the second tier) will have a good chance to hurt them. Striker Jon Parkin is back after suspension, another striker Josh King got an injury, while third option in front Chris Brown will be out for five more weeks.
I’m more than satisfied with these odds for home side. City are boosted with away win at ‘Boro (as well as with good results in two games before that), definitely possess decent amount of quality and this should be a breaking point for them.
Bet: B.City -0.25
Odd: 1.90 Pinnacle
Stake: 8/10
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