After a slow start to their new season, Bristol City have certainly picked up their game in recent weeks under manager, Lee Johnson, as The Robins seek a fourth win on the trot in the Championship when they entertain Middlesbrough at Ashton Gate in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
Bristol City’s season started in disappointing fashion though as they were handed a heavy 3-1 defeat at home to Leeds United on the opening day of the season, along with an early League Cup exit at the hands of QPR on penalties.
However, a point in a 1-1 draw away from home at St Andrews against Birmingham City seemed to fire the west country club into action and The Robins have since embarked upon a 3-match winning streak in the Championship.
Victories against QPR 2-0 at home have been followed by back-to-back wins on the road at Derby County and Hull City in 2-1 and 3-1 wins respectively, so Bristol City will be in confident mood ahead of this clash against an indifferent looking Middlesbrough outfit.
After what was a poor start to the new Jonathan Woodgate era at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough have recently also picked up their form with a 1-0 home win against Wigan Athletic and a 1-1 draw with Millwall, to hand Woodgate and his Boro side 4 points from their last two league matches.
A 3-3 draw away at Luton Town on the opening night of the new Championship season promised a new regime of attacking football under Woodgate, but 3 defeats on the trot thereafter to Brentford and Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, along with a League Cup loss to Crewe Alexandra on penalties may make Woodgate think twice of employing a new swashbuckling style of play.
It should also be noted that Middlesbrough’s recent encouraging results were both recorded at their Riverside Stadium.
On the road in the Championship, Boro have managed to collect just 2 away wins out of their last 8 matches on their travels, which were both recorded against relegated teams, Bolton Wanderers and Rotherham United.
Middlesbrough also haven’t had the best of times against Bristol City in recent exchanges as Bristol City have won 4 of the last 6 meetings between these two teams, and with winning momentum behind them here, the hosts might get up here.