City start their home games against Oxford United on a new pitch tonight.
The visitors come to Ashton Gate after losing their opening game of the season 1-0 to Burton Albion at the Kassam Stadium.
Manager Michael Appleton will be looking for a better result from his side in this game as the league two side can play without being under the pressure of being expected to win.
City have that, lets hope that they can handle it.
Vital Quotes:
Steve Cotterill.
‘Winning on Saturday has helped team spirit, because it feels as though we are up and running.
‘But you have to be careful not to get too carried away. It’s like the boxer who lands a good jab and thinks ‘I’ve got him.’
‘Then he relaxes and leaves himself open and the other guy chins him. We have to be very, very careful of that. It is something we will be mindful of when we play Oxford and also when we play Colchester on Saturday.
‘We have to make sure the challenge is the one that lies ahead and not the one that we have already been through.’
Bristol City Team News:
Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill has already said that there will be changes for this game.
He revealed that at least eight or nine of last season’s squad will play.
We believe that the Bristol Post is close to the right team with their prediction of: Fielding; Flint, Osborne, Williams; Wagstaff, Pack, Read, Freeman, Bryan; Wilbraham, Emmanuel-Thomas.
Player to watch: Aaron Wilbraham
If he plays he will cause problems for the Oxford defence as he is up for the game. My MOTM last time out.
Oxford United Team News:
Oxford will be without on-loan keeper George Long, who is ineligible.
Defender Michael Raynes is a doubt after a heavy fall on Saturday, with Johnny Mullins set to take his place, while defender Jon Meades will also hoping for a start.
Player to watch: Alfie Potter
25 year old tricky winger picked up from Posh. Has had loan spells with Grays, Havent and Waterlooville and Kettering.
Match Facts & Stats
Bristol City and Oxford United have met three times previously in the League Cup, with Oxford progressing on two occasions (1983-84 and 2002-03) to Bristol’s one (1988-99).
The home side has failed to score in each of the last three encounters between these sides (all comps).
Bristol City have been eliminated in five of their previous six League Cups by a team from a lower division.
Oxford United have scored just once in their last five League Cup matches, letting in 11 goals.
Ref Watch:
Ref – Lee Collins
Assistants – Barratt and Grant Taylor.
Fourth officiall – William Bull.
Match Prediction:
2-0 to City
Next Fixtures:
Sat 16 Aug. City v Colchester
