

Advantage Bristol
By: Matt P |Bristol City 2 v 1 Crystal Palace
City triumphed against a poor Palace side in the first leg of the play-off semi final. Bristol travelled to Selhurst Park and took the lead after a lovely worked free-kick leading to a gorgeous strike form Carey. Despite at times playing against what seemed like 12 men with the referee seemingly oblivious to the dirty tricks that are a hallmark of the Eagle’s game (seriously are referees kept in a dark room between matches, how could he not know and be alert to this?), Bristol showed immense strength to come back after losing the lead through a wrongly awarded penalty given probably because the ball went into the City area. Noble hitting a sweet strike in the Palace net to give Bristol a strong advantage into the second leg at Ashton Gate.
Five lessons City must learn if they’re to beat the Eagles
By: Matt P |Keep your concentration. In the 2 v 0 defeat at Selhurst Park, City conceded in the first five minutes and the last five minutes. Better focus is required to avoid going behind early on and creating a steep climb for ourselves.
Never give up! McCombe’s headed equaliser was around six minutes into stoppage time in the game at Ashton Gate.
Take Morrison out and the game is yours. Clinton Morrison is the only Palace player to hit double figures in the goals scored table this season. He’ll need careful marking.
Take your chances. Palace have the meanest defence in the league this season.
Beat them on penalties. Just like Rovers did.
Will City beat Palace in the Play-Offs semi final?
By: Matt P |Bristol face Crystal Palace over two legs for the chance to contest the Play-Offs final. The first leg is at Selhurst Park on Sat 10th May. But what do you think will be the overall outcome?
Poll: Will City beat Palace in the Play-Offs semi final?
( polls)
City 3 v 0 Preston
By: Matt P |Bristol head into the play-offs after a 3 v 0 victory saw off Preston. Goals from Trundle, McIndoe and Noble moved City’s goal difference into the positive and secured fourth spot. Gary Johnson said after the match that it was important to head into the two-legged contest against Crystal Palace with a confidence boosting win and expressed his relief that he’ll have a fully fit squad to choose from.
Bristol City v Preston North End
By: Matt P |With Bristol secure in the play-off spots, the Robins meet Preston at home with the aim of getting some kind of form back. Bristol can’t take third but we don’t want to slip back into further down so to avoid a tougher draw in the semi-final. Preston have nothing left to fight as they sit firmly in mid table and neither side are reporting any new injury concerns.
Prediction: 2 v 0 to move out of their negative goal difference.
Only the play-offs left for City?
By: Matt P |Mamady Sidibe’s two goals just about killed off Bristol’s hopes of automatic promotion. With two games left The Robins lie four points off Stoke in second and six behind West Brom in first.
The first half of the match at the Britannia stadium saw Stoke dominate much of the match, opening the scoring on fourteen minutes before doubling their advantage later in the first half. Mid-way through the second half, Adebola pulled one back but the Potters held on to move three points clear of Hull in third and leave the Robins in fourth.
Amazingly City, who now travel to Sheffield United next Saturday, are the only team in the top eleven who have a negative goal difference, and although the automatic spots now look distant, Bristol only need two points to secure a spot in the play-offs. Now the team must focus on getting some form back and avoiding the feeling of failure if they do miss out on automatic promotion. The play-offs would still mark an incredibly successful season and there’s no reason why City couldn’t go up through that route.
God is a Red!
By: Matt P |The debate’s over. Ended. Finished. If there are still any doubters out there who think Bristol might not get promoted, they should now be convinced once and for all. For City have God on their side!
Basso has revealed that he saved Darius Henderson’s penalty against Watford after God told him which way to dive. The keeper, a strong contender for player of the year, told Radio Bristol To be honest many people don’t understand or don’t believe, but I ask the Holy Spirit where they’re going to kick. He said ‘left’ and I said ‘thank you’. I went to the left side and I saved the ball, so today I was very blessed.”
Always knew the big man was a BC fan!
Basso for England?
By: Matt P |Not content with helping Bristol challenge for promotion, Adriano Basso is looking to his international career too. Sky Sports have him quoted as saying:
“Brazilian keepers don’t take the headlines, but I would like to change that. I know the future is bright. I am 32 and looking forward to playing in the next World Cup. You can achieve anything you want if you work properly. I want to play for England or Brazil. I have been here five years, so I can get an English passport.”
Here’s believing he gets to fulfill both his domestic and international his dreams.
Bristol City vs Watford Match Preview: Clash of the Titans!
By: Matt P |Tuesday 11th March, Ashton Gate, 7.45pm
Watford
Position in league: 3rd
Last match: Watford 1 v 1 Norwich
Last five matches: WDDDD
Goal difference in last five matches: +2
Last five away matches: LDWDD
Key man: Dan Shittu - Watford can score goals from all positions and the defender is a continual threat at set pieces, whilst also being a difficult man to get past.
Bristol City
Position in league: 1st
Last match: Bristol City 0 v 0 Leicester City
Last five matches: DWWDD
Goal difference in last five matches: +2
Last five home matches: DWWDW
Key man: Adebola - I think both sides will score tonight so we need to score at leat two if we are to get all three points - Adebola, who’s been in pretty good form lately, is the man to get us those goals.
Result in last match between the two sides: Watford 2 v 1 Bristol City
Promotion rivals
Tuesday:
Norwich v Stoke
Wednesday:
West Brom v Crystal Palace
Odds
Bristol City win: 13/10
Draw: 11/5
Hull City win: 13/8
Prediction
Bristol City 2 v 1 Watford





