We preview the first ever trip between Boro and Bristol City...
Sky Bet League 1
December 2013thSunday 29
Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Rd, Bristol BS3 2EJ
Kick-off: 3pm
Weather: 6°c, bright and sunny
Referee: Jeremy Simpson
Team news:
Mainly good news for Boro; Peter Hartley is hopeful of a return to the team after missing the last few games through injury and there's no-one suspended for the game.
Bristol City will be without Marlon Pack due to suspension but have Brendon Moloney available once again. The club are waiting on news about Bobby Reid who limped off early against Walsall on Boxing Day, after an injury to his shin.
View from the dressing room:
The gaffer stressed how important it was for the team to get back into action as soon as possible after the defeat at Colchester.
“It’s (the short turn around before Bristol game) absolutely what we need. When you get a performance as shocking as this, you know you’ve got a lot of work to do.
“We’ve spoken very quickly but very succinctly about what’s required. It’s a massive step forward. There’s zero tolerance from me now.”
Betting:
7/2 with Sky Bet.Stevenage are underdogs going into the game on Sunday –
.11/2 whilst Akins to score and boro to win is 5/1You can bet on Zoko to score and Boro to win @
(Zoko and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas)13/2The odds for each team's most lethal scorers to find the net is
.12/1 and 2-1 is 20/1, 2-0 is 10/1A 1-0 win for Stevenage is
, you can not only bag yourself a free £5 bet each week, but you will help the club you love earn revenue.linksIf you register with Sky Bet through any of the attached
Recent form
On the whole, the Robins are on a dismal run which means that despite being a championship team last year, they currently sit just above Boro in the relegation zone. In recent months the team have shown signs of life, although only 3 league wins this season is a poor showing from any team, especially from one which had league title ambitions at the start of the season. City fans do have some cause for optimism though; the team had a brief upturn in fortunes at the end of October and beginning of November and going into tomorrow's game the Robins are unbeaten in two after a draw at Notts County and win at home to Walsall. Their biggest trouble has been turning draws into wins - they have drawn more games than any other team in the league (10).
Key man
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas joined City in the summer and has been the clubs stand-out performer. The former Arsenal striker has hit the net an impressive 10 times in the league, 14 throughout all competitions. His best performance for the Robins was away at Carlisle in October, scoring a hat-trick and ending a 22 game win-less run for the club. Former hammer, Sam Baldock has also been in fine form - 11 goals in all competitions including a couple of penalties in their last two league outings.